The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday in Abuja met with ambassadors from European Union countries and called for stronger cooperation in investment, culture, and development, explaining how such ties can support growth in the capital city and Nigeria as a whole.
The meeting took place at the European Union House and brought together envoys from several European nations under the leadership of EU Ambassador Gautier Mignot.
During the engagement, Wike spoke about the plans and direction of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, focusing on areas where foreign partners can invest and work with the government. He pointed to sectors such as housing, tourism, agriculture, waste management, entertainment, and natural resources as key opportunities for investors. He also described Abuja as a city open to business, with ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and attract more economic activity.
The minister explained that the FCT administration is working on improving both urban and rural areas through road construction, better transport systems, and improved water supply. He added that security has also received attention, with new police facilities built across the area councils to strengthen safety and support law enforcement.
On governance, Wike spoke about recent changes in the electoral system, noting that reforms are aimed at improving how elections are conducted. He said there is now a provision for electronic transmission of results, while also allowing manual methods if technical issues arise.
He added that political disputes are now more often settled through legal means, showing growing trust in the judicial system.
He also addressed the political environment in the country, saying leadership is gradually shifting towards performance and service delivery rather than ethnic or religious considerations.
According to him, cooperation between the executive and legislative arms has improved, making it easier to carry out government programmes.
Wike went further to outline key policies under the current administration, including economic changes such as subsidy removal, exchange rate adjustments, and tax reforms aimed at improving government revenue. He said there are also support programmes for small businesses, students, and vulnerable groups to help ease economic pressure.
He acknowledged that Nigeria still faces security challenges, including insurgency, banditry, and communal clashes, partly linked to instability in the Sahel region. However, he said efforts are ongoing to tackle these problems through better coordination among security agencies and increased use of technology and intelligence.
The EU delegation, led by Ambassador Mignot, noted that the European Union remains a major trade and investment partner for Nigeria, with both sides expressing interest in maintaining closer ties for future development.