On Monday, the 9th of June, 2025, Abuja buzzed with activity as the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, led a team of engineers, contractors, and journalists on a final inspection round. The tour spanned several newly completed infrastructure sites, ahead of their official commissioning by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) later in the week.
After hours of site visits, Wike stood visibly moved. He paused to reflect and said it plainly: gratitude to God came first for strength, health, and the ability to oversee the delivery of what he described as vital projects.
He then turned his focus to the Presidency. His appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu came with weight, pointing to the steady support and faith the President has shown toward the FCT’s development goals under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“We are highly elated. First, we thank God Almighty for His grace. At a time when people say things are difficult, we have delivered critical infrastructure to the people. This is one of the happiest moments of my life,” Wike said.
Wike reflected on what helped move the projects from blueprint to reality: focused leadership, sharp priorities, and the discipline to see things through.
“Once you are focused on your objectives and committed to them, results will follow. It is not about having all the resources in the world, but the ability to manage what you have wisely, and politically, that’s what makes the difference.”
He didn’t shy away from admitting that government work comes with bureaucracy.
But he made it clear that determination helps cut through the red tape.
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“You talk about bureaucracy, of course it’s a problem, but again, when you sit down with people and you let them know that this is what you want to achieve and you are not going to accept anything less than that, they will key in,” the Minister stated.
The inspection tour stopped at major projects across the city:
• The newly upgraded International Conference Centre, redesigned to meet global standards.
• Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way), completed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
• Arterial Road N16, linking Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway to Wole Soyinka Way.
• The 15-kilometre OSEX II project, which now connects Apo and Wasa districts, built by CGC.
Wike praised the contractors for meeting expectations. “We have personally supervised these projects to ensure compliance and quality. I can confirm that all contractors have done what they were contracted to do.”
A major takeaway was the management plan for the new ICC. According to Wike, Julius Berger the company behind the renovation will handle its maintenance.
“It will not be handed over to any politician or third party. Maintenance is a major issue in this country, and this time, it will not be business as usual. Anyone who wants to use the facility will pay, and that money will be used strictly for its upkeep and pay Julius Berger,” he said.
The Minister also noted that Nigerians have been trained to run the facilities and operate the technology. “The people working there are Nigerians. There is nothing too difficult in the technology. What matters is capacity-building and supervision,” he added.
He closed with a promise, commissioning happens this week, and the doors open right after.