By Joyce Remi Babayeju
Chief of Staff to the President, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, has lauded the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, describing him as the driving force behind Abuja’s emerging status as a hub for global retail and international investment.Gbajabiamila made the remarks on Tuesday while representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the formal signing of a landmark franchise partnership between HyperCity and Carrefour in Abuja.He said the development underscores Nigeria’s growing reputation as a premier destination for enterprise in Africa, noting that Abuja is fast becoming a gateway for long-term global investment.
Commending Wike’s leadership, Gbajabiamila described him as a “deep thinker” whose business-oriented approach to governance is delivering measurable results in the nation’s capital. He added that the minister’s pivotal role in facilitating the HyperCity–Carrefour deal reflects his commitment to transforming both the economic and physical landscape of the FCT.“Under the current leadership, Abuja is sowing the seeds of a retail revolution that will extend far beyond the city,” he said, adding that the initiative is expected to grow across the country and strengthen Nigeria’s retail ecosystem.
According to him, hosting a global franchise of such scale demonstrates that Nigeria is not only an attractive market but also a stable environment for sustained partnerships and investment.Earlier, Managing Director of HyperCity Supermarket, Mr. Sunny Chuwla, described the partnership as a major boost to Nigeria’s economy, with the potential to drive investment, industrial growth, and large-scale job creation.Chuwla said the collaboration would also expand market access for local producers while delivering modern retail experiences to Nigerian consumers. He disclosed that plans are underway to open new stores in Abuja and other major cities, as part of a broader strategy to deepen modern retail penetration across the country.
He noted that the initiative marks a transition from viewing Nigeria as a prospective market to actively investing in its future, combining global retail standards with local enterprise.Chuwla further revealed that existing stores in Port Harcourt will be rebranded under the Carrefour franchise as part of the next phase of expansion, with cities such as Lagos also targeted in the near future.
He emphasized that Abuja’s emergence as a retail hub sends a strong signal to the global business community about the stability and vast potential of Nigeria’s economy.
