Abuja Smart City Vision, Driven By Urban Public Safety – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr. Nyesom Wike, says that Abuja’s Smart City Vision is anchored on five transformative pillars: Urban Mobility, Sustainability, Public Safety, Digital Governance, and Economic Empowerment.

Wike stated this in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, while addressing global mayors and city leaders at the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum, where he showcased Abuja’s rapid technological and infrastructural advancements.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Mr. Lere Olayinka.

The statement says Wike emphasized that Abuja, as a purpose-built capital guided by a clear master plan, is evolving into a world-class smart city aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

According to the statement, Wike noted that Abuja is strengthening collaborations with international agencies and private investors to accelerate innovation.

He listed ongoing initiatives such as Smart Water Metering projects with JICA, Chinese-supported intelligent traffic management systems, and major development ventures including the Abuja City Walk and the Abuja Industrial Park.

Earlier, the Minister met with the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem bint Ebrahim Al Hashimy, who also oversees the Political Affairs Office of the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

According to Wike, strategic investments in Urban Mobility are evident in expanded road networks, intelligent traffic systems, and improved public transport.

He added that sustainability is being enhanced through waste-to-wealth initiatives, renewable energy deployment, and environmental protection.

He listed additional interventions under Public Safety to include smart solar street lighting and CCTV surveillance, which are currently contributing to enhanced emergency response systems.

Digital Governance, he said, is being promoted through platforms such as the FCT Call Centre to improve citizen engagement and service delivery.

He also pointed to job creation and tech-driven investments aimed at strengthening Abuja’s digital economy.

Wike further highlighted the role of data in shaping stronger economic opportunities for young people, referencing the upcoming National Employment Database, which will support job matching, guided skills training, and entrepreneurship development through the Abuja Enterprise Agency.

According to Dr. Wike, Abuja’s Smart City transformation reflects a commitment to a safer, greener, more inclusive, and economically vibrant future for residents, investors, and visitors.

The Minister was accompanied by senior officials including the Senior Special Assistant on Legal and Multilateral Cooperation, Barr. Benedict Daudu; Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda; Director of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima; Director of Engineering Services, Engr. Chuks Udeh; and Director of Protocol, Sani Musa Daura.

Panelists at the forum, moderated by Dr. Sukaina Al Nasrawi, Lead of the Sustainable Urban Development Portfolio at UNESCWA, included Sara Al Zarooni, Director of Data and Statistics Planning and Governance at the Digital Dubai Authority; Saeed Al Falasi.

Others are Executive Director of Dubai Centre for Artificial Intelligence, Dubai Future Foundation; Tushar Singhvi, Deputy CEO and Head of Investments, Crescent Enterprises; and Lyman Tu, Chief Sales Officer for Asia, Middle East and Africa, Wilo Group.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji