The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that Abuja’s Smart City Vision is being powered by strong investments in five major sectors — urban mobility, sustainability, public safety, digital governance, and economic empowerment.
Speaking on Tuesday at the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wike explained that the administration is working with international bodies and private partners to transform Abuja into a modern and technology-driven capital. He mentioned partnerships with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on smart water metering, Chinese collaboration on intelligent traffic systems, and projects like the Abuja City Walk and the Abuja Industrial Park.
According to a statement from his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike said the Smart City Vision aims to make Abuja a model of innovation and efficiency through both public and private partnerships.
The FCT Minister had earlier met with the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, who also oversees political affairs under the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
At the forum, which featured city leaders and experts from across the world, Wike joined discussions on urban development alongside representatives from Dubai Future Foundation, Digital Dubai Authority, and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA).
Wike described Abuja as a purpose-built and evolving city guided by a clear master plan and a commitment to improving citizens’ lives. He explained that the Smart City Vision under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda focuses on expanding transport systems, promoting clean energy and waste management, deploying smart streetlights and surveillance, digitizing governance, and creating jobs through technology-driven initiatives.
He added that the city’s development plan also includes a national employment database that will connect young people with jobs, skill training, and entrepreneurship support through the Abuja Enterprise Agency.
Wike said Abuja’s transformation into a smart city goes beyond adopting technology, stressing that it is about building a safer, inclusive, and progressive city where citizens are central to its growth and development.