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By David Akoji, Director, Special Duties/State Operations, National Orientation Agency
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in August 2023, the Federal Capital faced significant infrastructure gaps, darkened streets, abandoned projects and stalled urban expansion, infact most Nigerians had lost hope as to whether Abuja could ever rise to the level of some of the global capitals around the world. Two and a half years into Wike’s leadership, Abuja’s landscape is visibly changing, a testament to resolute management, political resilience and a relentless focus on delivery against all odds. 
Abuja a Tired and forlorn City Before Wike
Before Wike’s arrival, large parts of Abuja remained unlit, major road networks teetered on disrepair, and long-pending projects flagged off years earlier but unattended littered the map of the nation’s capital. Frequent power outages and limited urban infrastructure compounded insecurity and hampered economic activity. “When we assumed office in August 2023, about 80 per cent of the city was in darkness,” Wike observed at the launch of Abuja’s solar street lighting project. 
Key Transformational Projects
Under Wike’s watch, several major initiatives have been kicked off or accelerated:
Solar City Lighting
The Light up Abuja project saw the installation of integrated hybrid solar streetlights across key districts including Maitama, Central Area, Wuse, Asokoro, Jabi, Garki, and more. Wike described it as a necessary step to curb insecurity and reduce costs linked to vandalism and maintenance. 
Wuye Engineering Infrastructure
After 15 years of abandonment, Wike inaugurated comprehensive infrastructure in the Wuye District, including arterial roads, drainage, power and water systems. “This entire district over 600 hectares, now has roads, water and light,” he declared, attributing progress to the Renewed Hope Agenda. 
Road Network Expansion Projects like the 3.8km Katampe road, access roads in Mabushi, Deidei-Life Camp road reconstruction, the ongoing expansion of Karu site road, the revoke and re-award of Apo Karahi road which will ease traffic gridlock on the AYA Nyanya road when completed and arterial road upgrades have been commenced or enhanced, laying a foundation for smoother traffic flow and economic vibrancy across the FCT. 
Commissioning of Long-Delayed Works
President Tinubu personally commissioned key expressways and parkways including the Inner Northern Expressway (INEX) and Southern Parkway, projects that had languished for years, signalling a tangible shift from stagnation to action. 
Social Sector Boosts
Beyond roads and lighting, the administration directed substantial funds into education, renovating schools and establishing new facilities, an investment that speaks to holistic urban development. 
Leadership in Practice: Words from the Principal Players
At every milestone, Wike has framed Abuja’s resurgence as a product of commitment and tenacity. On the solar lighting initiative, he said:
“Abuja cannot remain in darkness if we want to compete globally and even host events like the Commonwealth Games.” 
His narrative continually underscores the importance of tough decisions in leadership: infrastructure, he noted, requires confronting entrenched challenges including sabotage and political resistance for the greater good. 
President Tinubu has publicly endorsed the FCT transformation, praising the minister’s work as vital to national progress. At the inauguration of Arterial Road N5, he said:
“This reflects our commitment to deliver a modern infrastructure that improves the daily lives of our people…comparable to world’s top capital cities.” 
On other occasions, the President made clear his resolve to end abandoned projects across Nigeria, citing FCT efforts as a model. “The days of empty promises and abandoned projects…are over,” he declared. 
In an earlier ceremony, Tinubu also credited Wike with restoring life and vibrancy to Abuja, noting that infrastructure is a backbone for inclusive growth. 
Lessons in Leadership
The progress in Abuja under Wike’s watch provides several enduring leadership lessons:
1. Vision Means Action — Setting a clear developmental agenda, then pairing it with consistent execution, motivates stakeholders and builds public confidence.
2. Commitment Over Politics Navigating political storms while keeping project delivery on track underscores a leader’s resilience.
3. Collaboration Yields Results Strategic partnerships, including international agreements for renewable energy, show how collaborative leadership elevates outcomes.
4. Visible Impact Reinforces Trust As residents applaud improved roads and lighting, public trust and civic pride are restored, turning infrastructure into a unifying force. I
Looking Forward
As Abuja gears up to mark its 50th anniversary in 2026, the city wears a markedly renewed face — brighter, more connected, and future-ready. The journey from darkness to illumination, from bottlenecks to expressways, captures not just a transformation of concrete and cables, but essentially, leadership that delivers results against all odds.
