The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has announced that the FCT Administration will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Julius Berger for the maintenance of the newly remodelled Abuja City Gate.
Wike made the announcement on Thursday during the inauguration of the landmark by President Bola Tinubu, who was represented by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
He said the agreement is aimed at preserving the renewed beauty of the iconic monument, which serves as a symbol of Nigeria’s unity and the nation’s capital.
According to the minister, the city gate had suffered years of neglect until the first lady drew his attention to its deteriorating condition and urged the FCT administration to restore it.
Wike recalled that Senator Oluremi Tinubu challenged him to improve the entrance to the nation’s capital, noting that visitors should immediately recognise Abuja as the capital of a great nation.
He said the First Lady later followed up on the matter, reinforcing the importance of restoring the landmark, which prompted the administration to prioritise the project.
The minister said the remodelling had transformed the city’s landscape and commended the First Lady for her commitment to improving the nation’s capital.
He stated that the upgraded city gate now compares favourably with similar landmarks in major cities around the world.
To ensure the facility remains in excellent condition, Wike disclosed that the FCT Administration would hand over its maintenance to Julius Berger through a formal agreement.
He explained that the surrounding infrastructure includes car parks, while provision has also been made for a restaurant and public convenience facilities to enhance visitors’ experience.
According to him, the revamped site is expected to serve as a recreational and tourism destination where residents and visitors can hold social events, take photographs and enjoy the improved environment.
Earlier, the Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr Richard Dauda, described the Abuja City Gate as the city’s most recognisable landmark and an enduring symbol of Nigeria’s capital.
He said the monument has long welcomed residents, visitors and dignitaries arriving in Abuja, featuring prominently in films and documentaries that showcase the nation’s capital.
Dauda explained that the city gate was constructed to commemorate the relocation of Nigeria’s Federal Government from Lagos to Abuja in 1991.
He said it was designed as a ceremonial pavilion and a welcoming monument representing national unity and hospitality.
According to him, on 12 December 1991, the three arms of government—the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary—were formally received at the site with military parades and cultural performances, marking the official transfer of the nation’s capital from Lagos to Abuja.
He added that over the years, the city gate had hosted several distinguished visitors, including foreign Heads of State and other dignitaries.
Dauda noted, however, that the monument gradually fell into disrepair after plans emerged to relocate it to a more geographically appropriate location along the Airport Expressway near the Kuje Road interchange.
He said the landscape deteriorated, the Nigerian Coat of Arms faded, and the external finishes were damaged by years of exposure to harsh weather conditions.
According to him, the remodelling contract was awarded in November 2025 to restore the landmark to a standard befitting Nigeria’s modern and rapidly developing capital city.
