President Bola Tinubu has praised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for transforming infrastructure delivery in Abuja, saying his administration has ended the era of abandoned road projects and delayed execution.
The President gave the commendation on Wednesday during the commissioning of the full-scope development of Akinwumi Ajibola Street, covering Important Local Streets (ILS) 16, 18 and 19 in Gaduwa District, Abuja.
Represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu said Wike had changed the culture of project delivery in the FCT by ensuring contractors are paid promptly and projects completed on schedule.
“You have changed the culture of delivery in the FCT. You ended the era of mobilisation without movement. You ended the era of abandoned inner roads while major highways took all the attention,” the President said.
He noted that the FCT Administration was extending development beyond the city centre to districts and satellite towns, ensuring that no community is left behind.
“You inspect, you correct, you finish. Minister Wike, you have my confidence, you have my commendation, and the FCT has your results,” Tinubu stated.
Speaking on the newly commissioned road, the President recalled that residents of Gaduwa had long struggled to access their homes because of poor road infrastructure, adding that the project would improve connectivity, reduce travel time, minimise vehicle damage and enhance property values.
“This project returns dignity to residents who should never have been forced to choose between owning a home and reaching it. That is governance—small projects, big impact,” he said.
Tinubu also urged residents to safeguard the infrastructure by keeping drainage channels free of refuse and promptly reporting acts of vandalism.
In his remarks, Wike attributed the ongoing transformation of the nation’s capital to President Tinubu’s support and the timely approval of the FCT statutory budgets by the National Assembly.
He recalled that the President had directed him upon assumption of office to spread development across all parts of the FCT, from the city centre to satellite communities.
The minister said the commissioning of the Gaduwa road project, coming a day after the inauguration of a 13-kilometre road in Kwali Area Council, demonstrated the administration’s commitment to equitable infrastructure development.
“Yesterday, you were in Kwali to commission a 13-kilometre road project. Today, you are in Gaduwa District. We have been to virtually all the districts, and no district will say they are not feeling the impact of this administration. The citizens can now feel the impact of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Wike said.
He commended the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the engineering team for delivering the project to specification.
Wike also disclosed that the FCT Administration would soon begin a systematic naming of newly constructed roads across the capital to eliminate confusion.
He, however, cautioned the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Maikalangu, against naming roads constructed by the FCT Administration without prior approval.
According to the minister, while local councils have powers to name roads, they must obtain clearance from either the FCT Administration or the Federal Government for roads built with federal resources.
FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, thanked President Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly for their continued support, describing Wike’s leadership as instrumental in reshaping Abuja’s infrastructure.
Earlier, the Acting Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, said the contract for the road project was awarded to CGC Nigeria Limited in January 2026 and completed within six months.
He explained that the project comprises Akinwumi Ajibola Street (ILS 18), with connecting spurs through ILS 16 and 19, linking Collector Road C05 and improving connectivity between Gaduwa and neighbouring districts such as Durumi, Lokogoma and Gudu.
Dauda added that the project includes dual carriageways with parking lanes, telecommunication ducts and street lighting, noting that it would stimulate rapid development, enhance security and improve the socio-economic wellbeing of residents.
