President Bola Tinubu has said the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) reflects his administration’s broader development agenda for Nigeria, describing infrastructure as a key driver of economic growth and investment.
The President made the remarks on Wednesday while inaugurating the newly constructed Collector Road C01 and bridge in Abuja’s Institution and Research District. He was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.
Tinubu said the ongoing modernisation of Abuja would be replicated across the country through sustained investment in cities, satellite towns and rural communities.
“When you build roads, you open up districts. When you open up districts, you invite investment. And when investment comes, Nigeria grows,” he said.
According to the President, the transformation of the nation’s capital represents the larger development his administration intends to deliver across Nigeria.
“The transformation of Abuja is a microcosm of the transformation we are bringing to the entire Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.
Tinubu recalled that following complaints by the Body of Benchers during last year’s Nigerian Law School Call to Bar ceremony over traffic congestion and poor access to the institution, he directed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to urgently address the challenge.
He said the project was approved under emergency procurement to ensure its timely delivery.
“I told him, ‘Look, we cannot have the legal luminaries of our nation navigating potholes to train our future advocates. We cannot have students arriving late to lectures because of a lack of a simple bridge.’ We did not just talk about it. We approved it under emergency procurement. And today, just months later, here we are,” Tinubu said.
The President noted that the project created hundreds of direct and indirect jobs during construction while improving access and easing movement for students, lecturers and residents.
He also commended Wike for delivering the project, saying the minister had demonstrated commitment to implementing the administration’s development agenda.
Earlier, Wike thanked the President and Vice President for attending the 21st day of the FCT project inauguration exercise and assured residents that infrastructure development would continue across every district in the territory.
The minister also expressed appreciation to Tinubu for providing resources for infrastructure projects and removing the Federal Capital Territory Administration from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, said the President’s continued support had enabled the execution of unprecedented infrastructure projects across the capital.
Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Richard Yunana Dauda, said the road project, which includes a link bridge, underground drainage system and solar streetlights, would improve access to research and educational institutions as well as surrounding communities.