The leadership and members of the National Assembly have commended Mr Nyesom Wike for his outstanding performance as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The commendation was made during Wike’s appearance before the legislature to defend the proposed ₦1.78 trillion FCT statutory budget for the 2025 fiscal year.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Senator Ibrahim Bomai, praised Wike and the FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, for their impressive achievements within a short time in office. Bomai also expressed satisfaction with the FCT’s revenue and fiscal outlook, noting that this was the first time the territory was projecting a budget of approximately ₦1.7 trillion.
“What the FCT has presented is one of the most well-prepared budgets to date,” he said, adding that the projected ₦608 billion in Internally Generated Revenue for 2025 reflected significant progress.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central, PDP) commended the minister for the remarkable transformation of Abuja, likening its current status to that of Johannesburg and Cairo. He, however, urged further improvements in the territory’s security.
Senator Mohammed Ndume (Borno South, APC) echoed similar sentiments, noting the visible progress made in Abuja under Wike’s leadership. He remarked, “Anyone who knew Abuja two years ago can attest to the difference now.”
He added that the Senate would continue to support the minister in achieving his goals.
Senator Osita Ozunaso (Imo West, APC) applauded the 2025 budget’s structure, particularly the reduction in personnel costs, which he said allowed for increased capital spending.
“Many budgets come here with inflated personnel costs, but you have reduced it by ₦21 billion compared to the 2024 allocation. Also, your capital expenditure surpasses recurrent spending this is commendable,” Ozunaso stated.
Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North, APC) described Wike as one of the best-performing ministers under the current APC-led administration. He praised the shift in expenditure focus from overheads to infrastructure and commended efforts to extend development to rural areas within the FCT.
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“This is the most effective strategy to decongest the city by taking development to where the people live,” Oshiomhole said.
Senator Ireti Kingibe (FCT, LP), who had previously criticised Wike’s leadership style, also acknowledged the minister’s undeniable impact, praising the visible improvements across the capital.
In the House of Representatives, the Chairman of the Committee on FCT, Hon. Muktar Betara, similarly commended Wike for the ongoing transformation of Abuja.
Several other lawmakers also lauded the minister’s performance and commitment to delivering democratic dividends in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In his address, Wike urged the lawmakers to approve the ₦1.78 trillion statutory budget, explaining that ₦1.28 trillion was allocated to capital projects representing 72.3 per cent, while ₦494.1 billion (27.7 per cent) was for recurrent expenditure.
