In a landmark gesture aimed at strengthening ties between the government and indigenous communities, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has handed over land allocation documents to members of the FCT Council of Chiefs.
Speaking during a meeting with the traditional rulers in Abuja, Wike announced the full waiver of all statutory fees for the land titles—an action he said was carried out under the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Minister noted that while the FCT’s legal framework often overlooks original ownership, the Tinubu administration recognizes the historical presence and contributions of its indigenous people.
“We cannot deny the fact that there were people here before the creation of the FCT,” Wike said. “The President directed that we must extend a hand of fellowship to you. If those who promote peace cannot be appreciated with land, then who should be?”
Wike commended the monarchs for their role in ensuring what he described as the “most peaceful” Area Council elections in the history of the territory. He also pledged the provision of utility vehicles to further support their efforts in maintaining peace and order across communities.
Highlighting ongoing projects, the Minister revealed that several key infrastructure developments in satellite towns would be completed and commissioned by June. These include the dualization of the Airport-Kuje Road, progress on the Bwari-Zuba link road, the Apo/Karshi and Basan Jiwa projects, as well as the completion of the “Arab Road” network.
One of the major highlights of the event was the formal waiver of all land processing fees for the traditional rulers. Wike said it would be “unfair” to ask native chiefs to pay large sums of money for land their forefathers had long inhabited.
In his response, the Ona of Abaji and Chairman of the FCT Council of Chiefs, Alhaji (Dr.) Adamu Baba Yunusa, thanked President Tinubu and Minister Wike for the gesture. He pledged the continued support of traditional institutions for the administration’s initiatives and policies.
