Wike Signs Pact To Develop City Walk Project

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCTA), Nyesom Wike, has signed a development agreement with MAG International Links Limited for the Abuja City Walk project, modelled after Dubai’s iconic City Walk.

The agreement sets strict timelines to ensure prompt execution, with the first phase expected to be completed by May 2026 to coincide with President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.

At the ceremony yesterday in Abuja, Wike emphasised the FCTA’s commitment to ending land speculation and ensuring developers deliver on their promises.

“With the enabling environment provided by Mr. President, and with the support of the FCT administration, we were approached that they would want to partner with us for development in Abuja, trying to build the Abuja City Walk the way we have it in Dubai.

“The first day they came here, I made it clear to them that I have heard of people interested in development, and they asked for land.

“At the end of the day, you have this investment or development, they turned to land speculators. This time around, we are not going to accept that,” he said.

To ensure compliance, Wike said he personally led a team of directors to inspect the proposed site at Abuja Technology Village, an area plagued by land-grabbing controversies.

“For the past 20 years, nothing has happened. I would not like to lose this opportunity that we have seen investors who really want to invest and develop,” he said.

The minister revealed that MAG International had already submitted and secured approval for its building plans, with the Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) ready for handover.

However, the agreement includes a revocation clause if the developer fails to meet set deadlines.

“We have to sign an agreement that if you don’t comply within so-so and so-so time, then we have the right to revoke.

“So many people have created land for mass housing, for this and that, and they have turned into land speculators. They will go and sell our land. We would not accept that,” he said.

He further directed that all bureaucratic bottlenecks be eliminated, ensuring the project kicks off immediately.

“Today we will hand over the C-of-O, sign the agreement, and they must hit the ground running. There will be nothing like development plans excuse,” he said.

Wike announced that the foundation for the project must be laid by August 2025, with the first segment completed by May 2026. “One aspect of it will be completed for Mr. President to commission on his 3rd anniversary.

“We are going to give them all the necessary support because that’s what Mr. President wants. He has done well to encourage investors, to give them hope that Nigeria is ready to receive investors for development.

“If Nigeria had this kind of support before now, it would have gone far. This project will show that Mr. President has changed the narrative in Abuja’s development,” he said.

Earlier, executive director of MAG International Links Limited, Dr. Kassim Gidado, praised the FCTA’s proactive approach and reaffirmed the company’s commitment to delivering a world-class project.

“We have been in the business of attracting investors to Nigeria for quite some time. The Abuja City Walk is a major flagship for us as a group. We consider it a transformative project that will create jobs and redefine urban living,” he said.

He assured that the development would surpass Dubai’s City Walk by incorporating Nigerian cultural elements and advanced facilities.

“We want to make an edge over Dubai’s model. It will include medical facilities and other key amenities, tailored to our environment.

“It is your own push that made us move faster. Investors are keen on engaging with Abuja’s development, and we are 100 percent Nigerian, aligned with Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”

The Abuja City Walk, spanning approximately 200 hectares, is designed as a mixed-use development featuring residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, institutional, and healthcare components.

Inspired by Dubai’s successful model, it aims to elevate Abuja’s status as a world-class city while boosting economic growth and employment.