Wike declares Abuja safest city in Nigeria
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has declared Abuja the safest city in Nigeria, assuring residents that the capital remains secure and peaceful under the current administration.
Wike made the declaration on Saturday after inspecting infrastructure projects in Wuye District and the Federal Highway 105 linking the Umar Musa Yar’Adua Expressway to Kuje township in Kuje Area Council.
He said the improved security situation reflects the commitment of the FCT Administration and security agencies to protecting lives and property.
He noted that recent infrastructure upgrades, including the ongoing Light Up Abuja solar streetlight initiative, are part of a deliberate strategy to boost both security and quality of life in the city.
“If there is one safe city in this country, I think Abuja is that city,” the Minister said. He added that the streetlight programme, which covers districts and expressways, is also a strategic effort to strengthen security.
“The problem we have here is that when one incident happens, we forget that three months ago, nothing happened. You should give us and the security agencies credit that we are doing quite a lot to make Abuja safe, and Abuja has been safe.
“Residents have also remained intentional about living together in peace and harmony in spite of a few distractions. Consequently, the FCT has become one of the most peaceful places to reside in the entire country.
On the Wuye District infrastructure project, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, noting that Arab Contractors, the firm handling the project, assured him that the road will be completed within 10 days.
He also praised progress on the Airport Road to Kuje dual carriageway, describing the 8-lane road as a game changer that will reduce travel time for residents to just 15–20 minutes.
Wike added that the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Addressing sanitation concerns, Wike said the FCT Administration is actively clearing refuse dumped indiscriminately along Airport Road and in the Nyanya/Karshi area. He disclosed that new refuse disposal contracts will be awarded in two weeks, with competent contractors selected to ensure a cleaner city.
“We believe that in the next two weeks, the contract will be formally awarded for refuse disposal. That, I can tell you, will help us quite a lot,” he stated.
