The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed the Administration’s commitment to creating Nigeria’s most investor-friendly business environment, declaring that Abuja is fully open to credible local and international investors while warning that land speculators, fraudulent developers and those who undermine the Abuja Master Plan will find no refuge in the Territory.
Speaking at the opening of the Abuja Business and Investment Expo (ABIE) 3.0, organised by Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL) in Abuja, the Minister said the ongoing transformation of the nation’s capital under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda has established a solid foundation for sustainable economic growth driven by private sector investment.
Represented by the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, Wike stressed that infrastructure remains the cornerstone of economic development. He said the FCT Administration (FCTA) has embarked on an unprecedented programme of road construction, urban renewal, water supply expansion, transport infrastructure, healthcare and educational development to position Abuja as Africa’s preferred investment destination.
According to him, the Administration has moved beyond promises by delivering tangible results through the completion of abandoned projects, the opening of new development corridors and the extension of critical infrastructure to satellite towns and Area Councils.
The Minister revealed that the FCT’s strong performance in the 2025 Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) Subnational Ease of Doing Business Assessment, where it ranked fourth nationally with a 61 per cent score, demonstrates the Administration’s determination to improve governance and simplify investment processes.
He, however, maintained that the FCTA would not relent until Abuja becomes Nigeria’s leading investment destination and one of Africa’s most competitive business hubs.
Wike said ongoing reforms in land administration, digital governance, revenue collection and institutional accountability are aimed at eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks, enhancing transparency and providing investors with a predictable and secure business environment.
He added that while the Administration would continue to support genuine investors, it would take decisive action against fraudulent land allocations, multiple ownership claims, illegal developments and all forms of abuse 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,” the minister said.
Highlighting investment opportunities across the Federal Capital Territory, Wike identified real estate, transport, agriculture, tourism, healthcare, education, renewable energy, technology, the creative industry, waste management and urban infrastructure as priority sectors for strategic partnerships.
He urged investors to take advantage of the rapidly developing satellite towns and emerging districts, noting that Abuja’s next phase of economic expansion will extend beyond the city centre to unlock opportunities across the entire Territory.
The Minister assured investors that the FCTA would continue to provide world-class infrastructure, policy stability and an enabling business environment, while expecting the private sector to deliver quality projects, create jobs and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
He expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between government and the private sector would accelerate Abuja’s emergence as a globally competitive capital city and a leading destination for investment, innovation, tourism and enterprise.
In her opening address, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL), Ambassador Maureen Tamuno, said the Expo serves as a strategic platform for fostering partnerships, attracting investment and unlocking the vast economic potential of the Federal Capital Territory.
She explained that the theme of the Expo, “Building Nigeria’s Capital: Investment as a Catalyst for Economic Growth,” reflects the FCTA’s vision of positioning Abuja as a globally competitive investment destination through improved infrastructure, innovation and collaboration with the private sector.
Tamuno commended the leadership of the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, for driving transformational infrastructure and urban renewal projects that have significantly enhanced the Territory’s attractiveness to investors.
She disclosed that participants at the three-day Expo would engage in investment forums, exhibitions, networking sessions and policy dialogues covering strategic sectors, including real estate, infrastructure, technology, renewable energy, solid minerals, sports and the creative economy.
She urged investors, development partners and the business community to take advantage of the vast opportunities available in the Federal Capital Territory, expressing confidence that ABIE 3.0 would generate strategic partnerships and investments that would accelerate the economic growth of Abuja and Nigeria.
