The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the demolition of an illegal residential estate built on land originally designated for park and recreation in Guzape, Abuja.
Wike announced the decision on March 16, 2026, during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects across the Federal Capital Territory, where officials discovered that a developer had converted the recreational land into a housing estate in violation of the city’s master plan.
According to the minister, the approval granted for the development will be revoked and the illegal structures pulled down as part of efforts to protect the Abuja master plan.
“This place was given for Park and Recreation, not for the development of an estate. Nobody will allow that,” Wike said.
He disclosed that the buildings have already been marked for demolition, warning that the administration will no longer tolerate deliberate violations of land-use approvals.
“People think government will come and go and they will continue what they are doing. We will not allow that here. It does not matter who is involved; we will do the right thing,” he added.
The minister noted that some developers exploit bureaucratic loopholes and attempt to regularise illegal projects after construction has begun, but insisted that such practices would no longer be allowed under the current administration.
Wike also recalled a recent enforcement operation where the FCTA demolished structures built on land allocated to several foreign embassies in Abuja.
He explained that the administration had formally notified the affected diplomatic missions to reclaim their plots and commence development in line with approved plans.
“For instance, before Development Control can give approval for a building, the owner must present a Certificate of Occupancy. If there is no C-of-O, how was approval granted? These are some of the problems we face,” Wike said, acknowledging that some violations occur with the collaboration of insiders within government agencies.
Despite the enforcement actions, the minister said the inspection tour was largely aimed at assessing progress on major infrastructure projects expected to be commissioned during the third anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in office.
Among the projects inspected was the road network connecting Renewed Hope City in Karsana to Kubwa, being executed by Lubrik Construction Company.
Wike said the contractor had made significant progress and the project was on track for completion.
The minister also visited the N16 interchange linking Jahi and Gwarimpa, expressing satisfaction with the quality of work and optimism that it would be completed by the end of May.
He further inspected the Airport Road–Kuje highway project, being handled by Arab Contractors, where work is ongoing on the final beam of a major bridge along the corridor.
According to him, the project will greatly improve access to the Kuje Area Council and surrounding communities, easing daily transportation for residents.
Another project visited was the 13-kilometre road linking Kuje to Gwagwalada, being constructed by Gilmore Construction.
Wike explained that the project has been divided into two segments of about 6.5 kilometres each, with the contractor promising to deliver the first phase soon while work continues on the remaining section.
He stressed that expanding road infrastructure remains central to the administration’s transport strategy for the Federal Capital Territory.
“You cannot have a good transport system without connectivity and a good road network. When you have strong road infrastructure, transport becomes easier and more efficient,” Wike said.
