The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that Abuja’s Smart City agenda is anchored on strategic investments in five key areas — Urban Mobility, Sustainability, Public Safety, Digital Governance, and Economic Empowerment.
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Mr Lere Olayinka.
According to the statement, Wike made the remarks at the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
He explained that Abuja was working with global agencies and private sector partners, including projects with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on smart water metering, Chinese-backed intelligent traffic systems, and local initiatives such as the Abuja City Walk and Abuja Industrial Park.
Wike said these efforts underscore Abuja’s focus on leveraging public-private partnerships and international collaborations to drive innovation and sustainable growth.
He described Abuja as a “purpose-built and continuously evolving capital city guided by a clear master plan and commitment to service delivery.”
The minister added that under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Urban Mobility focuses on transport network expansion and intelligent traffic systems; Sustainability targets smart waste management and renewable energy; and Public Safety involves deploying smart streetlights, CCTV surveillance, and rapid-response mechanisms.
Wike said Digital Governance is being advanced through initiatives such as the FCT call centre and digitised land registry to enhance transparency and efficiency, while Economic Empowerment seeks to boost job creation and attract technology investments through digital expansion.
He also highlighted ongoing efforts to harness data for youth development, citing the forthcoming National Employment Database as a tool to match skills with opportunities and support entrepreneurship via the Abuja Enterprise Agency.
Wike emphasised that Abuja’s transformation into a smart and sustainable city is centred on its residents — ensuring a safer, inclusive, and prosperous future for all.
While in Dubai, the minister also met with the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem bint Al Hashimy, who oversees the Political Affairs Office of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.