FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has declared Abuja open for credible local and international investors, warning land speculators, fraudulent developers and others violating the Abuja Master Plan that the administration would not protect them.
Key Highlights:
- Wike declared Abuja open to credible local and foreign investors.
- He warned land speculators and fraudulent developers against violating the Abuja Master Plan.
- The FCT is expanding infrastructure and implementing reforms to attract investment.
- Key investment opportunities include real estate, technology, agriculture, tourism, and renewable energy.
- The Abuja Business and Investment Expo aims to drive partnerships and economic growth.
Wike issued the warning on Wednesday, while speaking at the opening of the Abuja Business and Investment Expo 3.0, organised by the Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL) in Abuja.
The minister, who was represented by the FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, said the administration is committed to creating one of Nigeria’s most investor-friendly business environments under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He said the ongoing development of infrastructure across the Federal Capital Territory had created a foundation for sustainable economic growth driven by private sector investment.
According to him, the FCT Administration is undertaking extensive road construction, urban renewal, water supply expansion, transportation infrastructure, healthcare and educational projects to position Abuja as a preferred investment destination in Africa.
Wike said the administration has moved beyond promises by completing abandoned projects, opening new development corridors and extending critical infrastructure to satellite towns and area councils.
He also cited Abuja’s fourth-place ranking in the 2025 Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Subnational Ease of Doing Business assessment, where the FCT recorded a 61 percent performance score.
He, however, said the administration would not be satisfied until Abuja becomes Nigeria’s leading investment destination and one of Africa’s most competitive business hubs.
Wike said reforms in land administration, digital governance, revenue collection and institutional accountability were being implemented to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and create a transparent and predictable environment for investors.
He warned that the administration would decisively tackle fraudulent land allocations, multiple ownership claims, illegal developments and other practices capable of undermining investor confidence.
“Ease of doing business does not mean the absence of regulation. We will support and protect genuine investors, but we will not protect land speculators, fraudulent developers or businesses that disregard the law,” he said.
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Wike identified real estate, transportation, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, education, renewable energy, technology, creative industries, waste management and urban infrastructure as key sectors with significant investment opportunities in the FCT.
He urged investors to explore opportunities in the rapidly developing satellite towns and emerging districts, saying Abuja’s next phase of economic expansion would extend beyond the traditional city centre.
The minister assured investors that the FCTA would continue to provide infrastructure, policy stability and an enabling environment while expecting private-sector players to deliver quality projects, create jobs and contribute to economic development.
He expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between the government and private sector would accelerate Abuja’s emergence as a globally competitive capital and a major destination for investment, innovation, tourism and enterprise.
In her address, AICL Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Maureen Tamuno, described the expo as a platform for fostering partnerships, attracting investments and unlocking the economic potential of the FCT.
Tamuno said the theme of the three-day event: “Building Nigeria’s Capital: Investment as a Catalyst for Economic Growth,” aligns with the FCTA’s vision of positioning Abuja as a globally competitive investment destination through infrastructure development, innovation and private-sector collaboration.
She commended Wike for driving infrastructure and urban renewal projects which, she said, had enhanced the attractiveness of the FCT to investors.
Tamuno said participants at the expo would engage in investment forums, exhibitions, networking sessions and policy dialogues focused on real estate, infrastructure, technology, renewable energy, solid minerals, sports and the creative economy.
She urged investors, development partners and members of the business community to take advantage of opportunities in the FCT, expressing confidence that the expo would generate strategic partnerships and investments capable of accelerating economic growth in Abuja and Nigeria.
