The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on European Union (EU) countries to deepen investment ties, strengthen cultural exchanges, and partner with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) in areas of mutual interest to build a prosperous Abuja and Nigeria.
Wike, while addressing EU Heads of Mission during a meeting at the European Union House in Abuja on Tuesday, said he was looking forward to continued collaboration and engagement with EU countries to foster the development of the FCT.
The meeting was chaired by the Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ambassador Gautier Mignot.
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In attendance were the envoys of Italy, Austria, Ireland, France, Hungary, Germany, Poland, Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Finland, Belgium, Sweden, Spain, the Czech Republic and Denmark.
Ambassador Gautier Mignot, who set the tone for the meeting while introducing the Minister, described the EU as Nigeria’s first trade and investment partner.
Addressing the EU Heads of Mission, the Minister spoke about the FCTA’s priorities, investment opportunities in the FCT, and the political landscape of Nigeria.
He also noted the FCT’s position as a business-friendly capital city, listing investment opportunities to include real estate and housing, entertainment and tourism, agriculture, solid minerals, waste management, among others.
“I thank the European Union Delegation to Nigeria for the invitation and continued partnership with the Nigerian Government in advancing shared values of development, stability, and prosperity.
“Today, drawing from the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, I will briefly highlight the priority areas of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the investment opportunities therein, and offer an overview of Nigeria’s evolving political landscape,” Wike said.
He stressed that the government has prioritised urban and rural development and infrastructure, security, education, health, social welfare, land administration reforms, revenue generation, and rule of law.
“As a priority too, the administration has strengthened security infrastructure through the building of 12 new fully equipped and furnished Divisional Police Headquarters and Officers’ Quarters (two each in the six Area Councils),” he said.
The Minister said that under President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s political trajectory was increasingly evolving towards a governance-focused paradigm where competence is increasingly prioritised over ethnic, partisan, and religious considerations.
Wike added that there are security challenges and that sustained efforts are being made to strengthen security architecture, enhance inter-agency coordination, and invest in intelligence gathering and technology.
