Abuja Master Plan Must Be Updated To Match Current Reality — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said the Abuja master plan is not permanent and must be regularly reviewed and updated to reflect present-day urban and development realities in the nation’s capital.

Wike made the statement during his monthly media chat on Monday, where he addressed concerns over alleged distortions of the Abuja master plan and ongoing enforcement against illegal structures across the city.

He explained that the master plan is periodically reviewed by government to ensure it remains relevant, especially as Abuja continues to grow in population, infrastructure demands, and economic activity.

According to him, the current review process was earlier scheduled for January but has been shifted, with a new review timeline expected around the end of July.

“The master plan was subject to change in January… we are looking at the end of July to review and see what has been done,” he said.

Wike added that the administration is also compiling a historical record of Abuja’s development as part of activities marking the city’s 50th anniversary.

He said the documentation will help preserve the original planning vision of the capital while tracking how it has evolved over time.

“Part of our activities this year is to put in a compendium for Abuja at 50,” he said.

The minister also criticised what he described as widespread disregard for urban planning rules, saying many residents carry out construction in prohibited areas despite repeated government warnings.

He cited examples of buildings erected on water channels and under high-tension power lines, which he said pose serious safety risks.

“You see people building on water… you see high tension lines and they are building under them,” he said.

Wike also said that in some cases, development control officials have faced resistance while attempting to enforce planning regulations, including arrests by security operatives.

He further stated that some of the illegal developments have become security threats, according to reports from security agencies, which described certain locations as criminal hideouts.

“I called the security agents, they said it’s a very dangerous place,” he said.

The minister insisted that the government will continue enforcement actions, including demolition of illegal structures where necessary, stressing that leadership requires difficult decisions to maintain order and safety in the city.