Tinubu Approves Abuja Land Allocation for Ambassadors-Designate

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the allocation of plots of land in Abuja for Nigerian ambassadors and high commissioners-designate, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, disclosed on Wednesday.

Wike made this known while receiving the envoys during a courtesy visit at his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja, as part of an induction programme for the newly appointed diplomats.

The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, who said the visit was designed to highlight the strategic importance of the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria’s foreign relations architecture.

According to Wike, President Tinubu approved the gesture to ensure Nigeria’s overseas representatives have a permanent base in the nation’s capital whenever they return for official engagements and periodic briefings.

“The President believes that most of you do not have a place in Abuja. He wants to encourage you to see how you can put up a place where you can stay. Before you leave this morning, each and every one of you should have your form to apply for land allocation in Abuja,” Wike said.

He charged the ambassadors-designate to serve as strong representatives of Nigeria’s image abroad, stressing that their conduct would shape global perceptions of the country.
“You are, in essence, the mirror of this country. The way the world sees you is the way it will see Nigeria,” he stated.

The minister also urged the diplomats to strengthen Nigeria’s economic diplomacy efforts by attracting investments and building international confidence in the country.

“Mr President has travelled extensively to attract investment and partnerships. It is now your role to reinforce that effort by building confidence in Nigeria as a viable destination for investment,” he added.

Addressing concerns in some quarters about Nigeria’s democratic system, Wike maintained that the country remains committed to multi-party democracy.

“Nigeria remains a multi-party democracy. There is no plan to turn the country into a one-party state. You must communicate this clearly wherever you serve,” he said.

He further highlighted development opportunities in the FCT, pointing to infrastructure expansion across the six area councils Abaji, AMAC, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, and Kwali as evidence of Abuja’s growing stature as a global capital.

Wike specifically encouraged the envoys to attract investors into agriculture and waste management, noting that vast arable land in Gwagwalada and Kwali remained underutilised.

“There is enormous potential in agriculture within the FCT, but investment is still limited. We need your support to unlock these opportunities,” he said.

The minister also revealed ongoing partnership talks with Saudi Arabia and Egypt to develop key sectors, alongside plans to engage the European Commission on development cooperation.

He expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, saying the country would become more peaceful, united and stronger by 2027.

Earlier, Ahmed described Abuja as Nigeria’s administrative and diplomatic nerve centre, noting that the ambassadors and high commissioners had been deployed at a critical moment in the country’s development.
“Our ambassadors and high commissioners have been entrusted with representing Nigeria at a pivotal moment in our nation’s development,” he said.

He added that economic diplomacy and investment promotion would remain central to their mandates and praised the transformation of the FCT under Wike’s leadership, citing improvements in infrastructure, urban management and service delivery as positive signals for Nigeria’s international image.