In a report by Tribune on Thursday, October 9, 2025, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured residents of Abuja that the city will witness an unprecedented wave of infrastructural development in 2026.
Speaking on Thursday during the flag-off ceremony of the construction of Collector Road CN2, Emmanuel I. Ogala Street, linking Arterial N16 (Yemi Osinbajo Way) to N20 (Wole Soyinka Way) including Road ILS 5 within Katampe District, Wike declared that next year would mark a major turning point in the physical transformation of the nation’s capital.
According to the minister, 2026 will be a different year entirely, as Abuja will undergo a massive infrastructural turnaround not seen since the creation of the FCT fifty years ago.
He added that the projects being initiated under his supervision were designed to ensure the city’s infrastructure meets international standards ahead of its 50th anniversary celebration in February.
Wike emphasized that the government’s goal was to make the FCT a model city where residents can enjoy improved road networks, efficient lighting systems, and enhanced urban aesthetics.
He maintained that the administration’s efforts were focused on executing projects that directly impact the daily lives of citizens and ease of movement across the territory.
Reaffirming his commitment to ongoing projects, the minister revisited his earlier claims regarding sabotage attempts on the Abuja Light Up Project.
He expressed concern that deliberate acts of vandalism and obstruction were being carried out to undermine the initiative, which aims to illuminate major highways and public areas across the city.
Wike recounted a recent incident when President Bola Tinubu returned from Lagos and parts of the airport road were left in darkness.
He said he immediately contacted officials of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) to identify the contractors responsible for that segment of the project. “I called to find out who was handling the airport road lighting, and I was told CCECC was involved,” he said.
The minister explained that he had warned earlier that the lighting project would face sabotage, as it was a major initiative likely to attract resistance from vested interests.
However, he assured that his team was fully prepared to overcome such challenges, adding that they were determined to deliver the project despite ongoing efforts to frustrate progress.
Wike further urged contractors, especially CGC, to remain resolute and not be discouraged by the acts of vandalism or interference being reported at various sites.
He advised them to focus on delivering quality work within the agreed timelines, stressing that every attempt to derail the project would be addressed decisively.
“Do not relent,” the minister said, emphasizing that sabotage through vandalism and tampering with installations should be seen as distractions. He assured that his administration would continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure all contractors complete their assigned projects.
According to him, the “Light Up Abuja” project remains a top priority for his administration and must be achieved as planned. He stated that the project would not only enhance the beauty of the city at night but also improve security and economic activities across the capital.
Wike concluded by reaffirming his government’s readiness to deliver tangible results in the coming year. He noted that the FCT administration under his leadership is determined to make 2026 the most transformative year in Abuja’s development history, promising that residents will soon witness visible progress across all sectors of infrastructure.
