Gladness Gideon
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has raised alarm over the deteriorating security and healthcare conditions in Abuja, calling for urgent and coordinated national intervention to safeguard the capital’s critical infrastructure and institutions.
Wike made the appeal on Wednesday during the 2025 budget defence before the Senate, stressing that Abuja’s role as Nigeria’s seat of power and diplomatic centre necessitates a unique and well-coordinated security strategy.
“You cannot talk about autonomy in a city where the President resides, where the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and every corporate head of the country operate from. The security of this city is not something we can handle alone,” Wike stated.
The minister revealed that the FCT Administration is engaging key national security institutions including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services (DSS) to develop a unified approach to safeguarding the territory.
“This city requires total security architecture because of its national importance. We have begun serious collaboration with national security agencies. We can’t afford failure in this area,” he added.
Wike expressed frustration over the persistent failure to deploy effective surveillance systems across Abuja, citing political interference and administrative hurdles as major obstacles.
“You wonder why we still can’t have effective CCTV coverage in the capital. Sometimes, it is internal politics, sometimes it is outright sabotage. Even when projects are approved, you find people who deliberately frustrate implementation,” he lamented.
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Responding to growing calls for greater autonomy for the FCT, the minister advised caution, pointing to the constitutional uniqueness of the capital territory.
“The FCT is not like any other state. You don’t have a House of Assembly here. Our laws are made by the National Assembly. This setup is by design and cannot be wished away,” he explained.
On the healthcare front, Wike disclosed the recent procurement of modern diagnostic equipment, including MRI and CT scan machines, to enhance medical services across public hospitals in the FCT.
“As of Tuesday, we completed procurement processes for an MRI and CT scan machine. These will be delivered to our health facilities soon,” he announced.
Wike emphasised that the complex challenges facing the FCT—from crime prevention to healthcare delivery—require joint planning and intervention from multiple sectors. He proposed the convening of a multi-sectoral summit to address the territory’s pressing needs.
“The issues we face here are complicated and cannot be solved in isolation. We need a coordinated effort that brings all stakeholders together,” the minister concluded.