KEY POINTS

• Wike, Elumelu urge stronger investments to tackle poverty.

• Wike pledges to make Abuja a model for sustainable growth.

• Elumelu says Africa’s transformation depends on Africans investing locally.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called on both local and foreign investors to seize the vast opportunities in Abuja to drive sustainable development and economic growth.

Speaking on Tuesday at the opening of the 2nd Abuja Business and Investment Expo (ABIEXPO 2025), held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Wike said the capital city remains central to Nigeria’s ambition for inclusive progress.

The event was organised by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) through its investment arm, the Abuja Investments Company Limited (AICL).

FCTA pushes for sustainable city growth

Represented by the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, Wike reaffirmed the administration’s resolve to make Abuja not only the nation’s political headquarters but also a benchmark for sustainable economic growth across Africa. “As Abuja symbolizes Nigeria’s aspirations, our mission, supported by Mr. President, is to make it a safe, investment-friendly city that empowers all citizens,” he said.

Wike said the theme of the expo, “Empowering Sustainable Growth: Unlocking Potentials in Emerging Markets,” reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which aims at infrastructure expansion, job creation, and inclusive development. He stressed that the administration is focusing on linking satellite towns and rural communities to the city through infrastructure, describing such projects as vital to industrialisation and economic diversification.

He also commended the AICL for creating what he called a “strategic and forward-looking platform” that connects investors, innovators, and partners to explore Abuja’s economic prospects. “The FCT Administration remains steadfast in building a sustainable, flourishing capital city and enhancing Nigeria’s position on the continental and global stage,” he said.

Elumelu calls for local investments

Delivering the keynote address, Heirs Holdings Chairman Tony Elumelu urged African investors to invest more at home, warning that the continent’s economic destiny should not depend on outsiders. “Make your money, but please bring it home and invest locally. It will be a disservice to make so much and then keep the money in economies that are already developed,” Elumelu said.

Wike, Elumelu urge stronger investments to tackle poverty as both leaders highlighted that collaboration between government and the private sector is essential for Africa’s transformation. “Poverty anywhere is a threat to all of us everywhere,” Elumelu added.

He revealed that the Tony Elumelu Foundation has trained and supported 24,000 young Africans with a non-refundable $5,000 seed grant, including 641 beneficiaries from the FCT.

According to The Vanguard, Elumelu noted that Africa’s economic transformation “will not be written in boardrooms in Washington or London but right here in Africa, in Nigeria, in Abuja, and it will be written by Africans.”