Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the purposeful and servant-oriented leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is firmly positioning Nigeria on the path of sustainable growth and inclusive development.
Wike made the statement on Tuesday in Abuja at the 2026 Annual Distinguished Personality Lecture Series organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences, Yakubu Gowon University.
Speaking on the theme, “Exemplary Leadership and Infrastructural Development in Nigeria: Between Dividends of Democracy and Good Governance,” the FCT minister said Tinubu’s democratic credentials were established long before his presidency, recalling his role in the pro-democracy struggle at significant personal risk.
According to Wike, the President’s tenure as former governor of Lagos State demonstrated his capacity to translate vision into tangible development, particularly through increased internally generated revenue, infrastructure expansion and institutional reforms.
He noted that Tinubu signalled uncommon courage from day one in office by removing the fuel subsidy — a policy widely regarded as economically harmful but avoided by successive administrations.
While acknowledging the short-term hardship that followed, Wike insisted the move has freed up resources for subnational development, reduced unsustainable borrowing and restored discipline in the energy sector.
“This is leadership prepared to endure temporary unpopularity in pursuit of long-term national interest,” he said.
Wike further stated that the administration is addressing structural imbalances through regional development commissions, enhanced security funding and systematic training of the armed forces — measures he described as deliberate efforts to rebuild state capacity and restore public confidence.
He, however, stressed that national transformation requires collective effort, urging Nigerians to move beyond cynicism and embrace shared responsibility.
“The time for belief is now. The time for action is now. Progress is forged where leadership and followership work in synergy,” he said.
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Hakeem Fawehinmi, said the lecture series provides a vital platform for intellectual engagement on national issues, particularly the link between leadership and development.
Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Aminu Gusau, described Wike as a results-driven public servant whose tenure since August 2023 has witnessed accelerated infrastructure delivery in the FCT, including the completion and rehabilitation of major road networks linking the city centre to satellite towns.
“You may like his personality or not, but one thing is certain — he works, and he works for the people,” Gusau said.
Earlier, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. Mutiullah Olasupo, described Wike as an icon of democracy and infrastructural development, adding that the lecture would deepen discussions on leadership, governance and the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu’s Bold Reforms Steering Nigeria Toward Growth, Says Wike
