The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with MAG International Links Ltd to develop City Walk Abuja, a project that aims to replicate Dubai's renowned City Walk concept in Nigeria's capital city.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, speaking at the signing ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, revealed that the ambitious project will span approximately 200 hectares along Airport Road, in an area previously designated for Abuja Technology Village that has remained undeveloped for two decades.
"I want to make it clear that we have had problems with land grabbers in Abuja Technology Village, even those in the technology village are part of the problems," Wike stated. "In the past 20 years, nothing has happened in the area and therefore, I would not like to lose this opportunity that we have seen investors who really want to invest and develop the land for the good of the city."
The City Walk Abuja project will feature an integrated mix of residential, commercial, retail, hospitality, institutional, and healthcare facilities. According to the minister, the development aligns perfectly with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to attract investors and create employment opportunities for Nigerians.
Wike emphasized that the MoU includes strict timelines and specifications to prevent land speculation, a practice that has plagued previous development efforts in the FCT. "We are not going to just give you a Certificate of Occupancy and then nothing happens. We will not accept that again," he warned.
The project will be developed in phases, with groundbreaking expected between July and August this year. The first phase is scheduled for completion by May 2026, coinciding with President Tinubu's third year in office.
Dr. Kassim Gidado, Executive Director of MAG International Links Ltd, expressed confidence in the project, noting that the ongoing transformation in the FCT has increased investors' confidence in the potential for returns on investment.
"This development represents a bold new direction for real estate in Nigeria, blending elegance, sustainability, and economic value to create a truly world-class destination," Gidado said. He assured that City Walk Abuja would not merely replicate Dubai's version but would surpass it, incorporating local cultural and traditional elements that would completely transform the Lugbe axis.
To facilitate the project's commencement, the FCT administration has committed to providing access roads and ensuring that the investor faces no legal or administrative obstacles. The Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority, along with the Directors of Development Control and Land, have been instructed to provide necessary support and prevent any obstructions.
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