The leadership and members of the National Assembly have heaped praise on Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike for his transformative impact on Nigeria's capital city, comparing Abuja to major African metropolises like Cairo and Johannesburg.

The commendation came during Wike's appearance before the National Assembly to defend the FCT's proposed N1.78 trillion statutory budget for the 2025 fiscal year.

Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, drew parallels between the current state of the FCT and major African cities, stating that Abuja now resembles "Johannesburg and Cairo." The Bauchi lawmaker, however, urged the Minister to enhance security measures within the territory.

The Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, Ibrahim Bomai, lauded Wike for what he described as "wonderful performance" during his less than two years in office. Bomai particularly highlighted the FCT's 2025 budget proposal as "one of the best" presented so far.

"This is the first time FCT is proposing to generate about N1.7 trillion," Bomai noted. "What FCT has presented is one of the best budgets so far. Also, the N608 billion projected Internally Generated Revenue for 2025 shows a significant improvement."

Since assuming office as FCT Minister, Wike has embarked on numerous infrastructure projects that have visibly transformed Abuja's landscape. His administration has completed several road and bridge construction projects, with more developments reportedly in the pipeline.

The Minister's urban renewal initiatives have been credited with enhancing the aesthetic appeal and functionality of Nigeria's capital city, earning him recognition from lawmakers across party lines.

The N1.78 trillion budget proposal, if approved, would represent a significant increase in the FCT's spending capacity and potentially accelerate the pace of development in the territory.