Wike, Japan partner to overhaul Abuja Master Plan

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has signaled a major shift in the urban development trajectory of the nation’s capital, announcing a strategic partnership with the Government of Japan to update the 1979 Abuja Master Plan. The move, aimed at aligning the city’s growth with modern realities through the year 2050, […]

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has signaled a major shift in the urban development trajectory of the nation’s capital, announcing a strategic partnership with the Government of Japan to update the 1979 Abuja Master Plan.
The move, aimed at aligning the city’s growth with modern realities through the year 2050, was the highlight of a courtesy visit by a high-level Japanese delegation to the FCT Ministry on Tuesday.
The delegation was led by the Japanese Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Suzuki Hideo, and the Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Nigeria, Mr. Ishigame Keiji.
Speaking during the meeting, Barrister Wike expressed profound appreciation for Japan’s historical and technical contributions to Nigeria, noting that the original blueprint of the FCT owes much to Japanese expertise.
“On behalf of the FCT Administration, I appreciate the relationship between Nigeria and Japan,” Wike said. “I am fully aware of the projects through JICA. It is very key for us because I know the design of Abuja was done by Japan, and now they need to look at it again in order to carry out further structural development.”
Earlier, Ambassador Suzuki Hideo lauded Wike’s leadership and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to “co-creating a shared future” with Nigeria. He emphasized that the development of Abuja as a political and administrative hub is vital for the nation’s overall progress.