President Bola Tinubu has greenlit the allocation of land plots in the Federal Capital Territory to Nigerian ambassadors and high commissioners-designate. This significant gesture was revealed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, during a visit by the diplomats to his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja, on Wednesday.
The envoys, led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, visited the minister as part of their official induction programme. Wike explained that the President recognized that many of the nation’s overseas representatives lack a personal base in the capital. By providing these land allocations, the government aims to ensure they have a permanent place to stay whenever they return for briefings or official duties. Forms for the land applications were made available to the diplomats immediately following the meeting.
Beyond the real estate gesture, the minister used the gathering to emphasize the weight of the responsibility resting on the envoys’ shoulders. He described them as the “mirror” of the country, noting that the international community’s perception of Nigeria is directly tied to how they conduct themselves and represent the nation’s interests.
A major part of their mandate will be to support the President’s ongoing economic diplomacy. Wike tasked the diplomats with building on the investment drives the President has initiated during his various foreign trips. He urged them to act as confidence-builders, showcasing Nigeria as a prime destination for global capital and partnerships.
Addressing concerns about the country’s political direction, the minister was firm in his stance that Nigeria remains a robust multi-party democracy. He instructed the ambassadors to dismiss any rumors of a shift toward a one-party state, telling them to communicate Nigeria’s democratic stability clearly to their host countries.
The minister also highlighted the untapped potential within Abuja itself, particularly in the six area councils like Gwagwalada and Kwali. He pointed out that while infrastructure is expanding rapidly, there are still massive opportunities in agriculture and waste management that need foreign investment. As noted by Zoyols News, the FCT administration is already in talks with partners from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the European Commission to further these development goals.
The Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, added that the visit was crucial for helping the envoys understand Abuja’s role as the diplomatic nerve center of the country. He praised the visible infrastructure improvements in the city, suggesting that the current transformation of the FCT serves as a powerful selling point for Nigeria’s international image. Wike concluded the session on a hopeful note, expressing his belief that by 2027, the nation will emerge more united, peaceful, and economically resilient.
