Senator Oluremi Tinubu, wife of President Bola Tinubu, will inaugurate the remodelled Abuja City Gate in May, as part of events marking the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has announced.
Wike said the transformation of the iconic entrance into Abuja is designed to project a renewed identity for the nation’s capital, assuring that the project is on track for timely completion.
“We are remodelling the City Gate so that it truly reflects Abuja’s identity—that once you arrive, you know you are in the city,” he said.
The minister revealed that the upgraded structure will incorporate a symbolic water fountain representing Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT, alongside recreational spaces aimed at enhancing the experience of residents and visitors.
He credited the initiative to Senator Tinubu, noting that her vision sparked the overhaul of the long-standing landmark.
“This was initiated by the wife of the President. She said we cannot have the entrance of the city like that. We thank her for that vision,” Wike added.
Expressing satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, the minister commended the contractors, particularly Julius Berger Nigeria, for delivering to expectations.
“By and large, we are meeting timelines. We are happy with the quality of the job, and the contractors are also delivering,” he said.
Wike made the remarks on Thursday after inspecting multiple ongoing infrastructure projects across the FCT, including the Court of Appeal complex, judges’ quarters, and residences for heads of courts.
He disclosed that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, located in Daki Biyu, is nearing completion and will be ready for commissioning by May.
“With the Court of Appeal Abuja division… it is almost at a final stage now and will be handed over by May this year. We are hoping it will be part of the inauguration for the President’s third anniversary,” he stated.
The minister also confirmed significant progress on the judges’ quarters, noting that over 20 duplexes at the FCT High Court, along with magistrates’ quarters, are close to completion and expected to be delivered before the end of May.
To strengthen security within the residential area, Wike said adjoining lands are being incorporated into the quarters to allow for proper access control.
“We have to make sure that those who will live within the judges’ quarters can be properly identified for security reasons. So we are taking over those adjoining areas,” he explained.
He further disclosed that official residences for key judicial officers—including the Chief Judge of the FCT, President of the Court of Appeal, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and President of the National Industrial Court—are scheduled for completion by October.
