The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on European Union (EU) countries to deepen investment cooperation with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in order to boost development in Abuja and Nigeria at large.
Wike made the appeal on Tuesday during a meeting with EU Heads of Mission held at the European Union House in Abuja, where he emphasised the need for stronger partnerships in key sectors such as infrastructure, housing, tourism, agriculture, solid minerals, and waste management.
He said the FCT remained a business-friendly environment and is open to increased foreign participation in its development agenda.
“I thank the European Union Delegation to Nigeria for the invitation and continued partnership with the Nigerian government in advancing shared values of development, stability, and prosperity,” Wike said.
He explained that under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the FCT is prioritising infrastructure expansion, security enhancement, education, healthcare, social welfare, land reforms, and improved revenue generation.
According to him, major infrastructure projects are already underway, including the expansion of road networks, modernisation of public transport systems, and improvement of water supply across the capital territory.
The minister also disclosed that the administration has strengthened security infrastructure with the construction of 12 new fully equipped Divisional Police Headquarters and staff quarters across the six area councils of the FCT.
Speaking further, Wike urged diplomatic partners to sustain engagement with Nigeria, stressing that governance reforms and institutional cooperation remain central to the country’s development strategy.
He described recent electoral and governance reforms as efforts aimed at strengthening democratic institutions and improving credibility in the electoral process.
“In the newly amended Electoral Act, there is a provision for electronic transmission of results but where it fails, manual transmission can be used due to our peculiarities,” he explained.
Wike also stated that Nigeria’s evolving democracy should not encourage conflict-based opposition politics, but rather constructive engagement and policy alternatives.
“In a country like Nigeria, where democracy is evolving, opposition should not be seen as an avenue to cause or promote crises,” he said.
He further noted that under the current administration, political relations between the executive and legislature have become more collaborative, describing both arms as “partners in progress.”
Ambassador Gautier Mignot, who led the EU delegation, described the European Union as Nigeria’s leading trade and investment partner and reaffirmed commitment to continued cooperation with the country.
