… Says Project to Be Abuja’s Flagship Development, Targets May 2026 Delivery
In a bold move to reposition Nigeria’s capital city as a premier investment destination, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday unveiled City Walk Abuja, a 200-hectare mega-development designed to transform the urban landscape of Abuja and reflect global standards akin to Dubai’s iconic City Walk.
Speaking at the formal signing ceremony between the FCTA and MAG International Links Limited, Wike announced that the new project would serve as Abuja’s “flagship development” under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with strict deadlines and government backing to ensure execution.
“We are not giving out land for people to hold and speculate,” Wike declared. “This is a partnership anchored on results, not promises. You must deliver and we are watching.”
Located in the Abuja Technology Village corridor, City Walk Abuja will integrate residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, medical, and institutional facilities into a modern, self-contained urban ecosystem.
“We’ve seen what you’ve done in Dubai. We’ve visited the site. We’ve approved the designs and signed the Certificates of Occupancy. What we want now is bulldozers and concrete not excuses,” Wike said emphatically.
He gave a clear ultimatum: foundation works must begin by August 2025, with Phase One completed by May 2026, aligning with President Tinubu’s third year in office.
To support this vision, Wike said the FCTA would dismantle bottlenecks in land access, planning approvals, and development control, positioning City Walk Abuja as a “pillar project” that exemplifies how public-private partnerships can deliver real impact.
The site for City Walk Abuja had long suffered from land disputes and investor inaction, but Wike said the government is now taking decisive steps to clear access roads and provide regulatory fast-tracking for genuine investors.
“We’re not just giving land. We’re providing support and we are monitoring every step,” he said. “The era of speculative allocation is over. This is about delivery, not delay.”
This strategy, Wike added, is part of a wider FCTA investor drive to attract serious capital into the territory, with clear expectations and accountability frameworks.
Framing the project within the national policy context, Wike said the development directly aligns with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, focused on: Job creation; Infrastructure renewal; Private sector-led growth; and Urban modernization
“President Tinubu has given us the mandate to change the face of the FCT. Projects like this will define that legacy visible, impactful, and transformative,” the minister noted.
City Walk Abuja is also expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs, attract international hospitality brands, and contribute significantly to the non-oil revenue base of the territory.
For years, Abuja’s real estate sector was marked by speculative hoarding of land, poor delivery timelines, and minimal government enforcement. Wike’s approach signals a decisive paradigm shift.
“This is not business as usual,” he said. “If you get land, you must use it. If you promise to build, you must show progress. And if you commit to a timeline, you must meet it.”
The City Walk Abuja initiative is being positioned as a model for other large-scale developments across the capital, with a special taskforce to ensure on-time and quality delivery.
If delivered as promised, City Walk Abuja could become one of the defining legacies of both the Tinubu administration and Wike’s tenure as FCT Minister a modern, functional, and globally competitive city center at the heart of Nigeria’s capital.
“This is how you leave a legacy,” Wike concluded. “Not by talk, but by projects that stand the test of time.”
Dr. Kassim Gidado, Executive Director of MAG International Links Limited, praised Wike’s leadership and pledged full commitment to the vision.
“This is not just another real estate project. City Walk Abuja is our flagship. It is a symbol of what is possible when public will meets private expertise,” Gidado said.
He compared the development to London’s Canary Wharf, saying it has the potential to “transform not just the skyline, but the story of Abuja.”
Gidado confirmed that the project has already piqued interest from Gulf investors, thanks to MAG’s track record across 35 countries and its robust investment footprint in Nigeria.
“We are Nigerian-owned, and this is home. Our job is to bring international capital and standards to Nigerian soil and City Walk Abuja is the perfect showcase.”
MAG’s commitment, backed by international funding and technical expertise, has already begun to restore investor confidence in the FCT.
“This partnership is proof that Nigeria and Abuja in particular is open for serious business,” said Gidado. “The FCT Minister is leading by example. That gives us confidence to move fast and go big.”
According to MAG executives, Phase One of the project will include: A luxury shopping promenade; Five-star hotel and conference facilities; High-end residential apartments; A state-of-the-art medical complex; Technology startup zones; Green spaces and walkable streetscapes; and Legacy in the Making.
