By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has said that Abuja’s “Smart City Vision” is being driven by strategic investments across five key areas, such as urban mobility, sustainability, public safety, digital governance, and economic empowerment.
Wike, announced this at the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This was contained in a statement issued by the minister’s senior special assistant on public communications and social media, Lere Olayinka on Tuesday in Dubai.
He also disclosed that Abuja was actively collaborating with international agencies and private sector actors, including projects with JICA on SmartateMetering, Chinese support for intelligent traffic lights, and ongoing ventures such as the Abuja City Walk and the Abuja Industrial Park.
These, he stressed, reflect Abuja’s commitment to leveraging public-private partnerships and city-to-city exchanges to accelerate innovation.
Earlier, the minister had met the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, who also oversees the Political Affairs Office of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
‘Wike joined global mayors and city leaders at the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum to highlight “Abuja’s bold steps toward becoming a world-class smart city.”
Other speakers at the forum, which was moderated by the Lead of the Sustainable Urban Development Portfolio, UNESCWA, Dr. Sukaina Al Nasrawi, were Director of Data and Statistics Planning and Governance, Digital Dubai Authority, Sara Al Zarooni; Executive Director of Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Dubai Future Foundation, Saeed Al Falasi; Deputy CEO and Head of Investments, Crescent Enterprises, UAE, Tushar Singh Singhvi; and Chief Sales Officer, Asia, Middle East, and Africa of Wilo Group, Lyman Tu.
The FCT minister underscored Abuja’s unique status as “a purpose-built and ever evolving capital with a clear master plan, vision, and mission anchored on service delivery to citizens.”
Noting that under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Abuja’s “Smart City Vision” was being driven by strategic investments across five key areas, Wike said, “Urban mobility is about the expansion of transportation networks, intelligent traffic systems, and public transport solutions to reduce congestion and enhance accessibility.
“Sustainability is about smart waste management, renewable energy adoption, and waste-to-wealth initiatives aimed at a cleaner, greener environment.
“Public safety entails the deployment of smart solar streetlights, CCTV surveillance, and rapid emergency response systems to improve security.
“Digital governance involves the creation of platforms like the FCT Call Centre and digitized land registry to promote citizen engagement, transparency, and efficiency in service delivery.
“Economic Empowerment bothers on creating jobs and attracting tech companies by expanding Abuja’s digital environment.”
The FCT Minister also emphasized the importance of data in shaping opportunities for Abuja’s youth, referencing Nigeria’s upcoming National Employment Database in partnership with global development partners.
“This system will match skills with job opportunities, guide targeted training, and support entrepreneurship programs led by the Abuja Enterprise Agency,” he said.
Wike further reaffirmed that “Abuja’s transformation into a smart and sustainable city was not only about technology, but about placing citizens at the center of development—building a safer, more inclusive, and prosperous environment for all.”
Wike was accompanied to the Dubai event by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister on Legal and Multilateral Cooperation, Barr. Benedict Daudu, Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority; Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, Director, Department of Development and Control; Mukhtar Galadima, Director of Engineering Services; Engr. Chuks Udeh; and Director of Protocol, Sani Musa Daura.
