Abuja’s smart city vision driven by urban mobility, public safety-Wike

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that the Abuja’s smart city vision is being driven by strategic investments across five key areas of Urban Mobility, Sustainability, Public Safety, Digital Governance and Economic Empowerment.

Wike made this known in a statement on Tuesday by Mr Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant Public Communications and Social Media.

The statement said the minister made the declaration at the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Wike said Abuja was actively collaborating with international agencies and private sector actors, including projects with JICA on smart water metering, Chinese support for intelligence Traffic Lights, and ongoing ventures such as the Abuja City Walk and the Abuja Industrial Park.

These, Wike said, reflected Abuja’s commitment to leveraging public-private partnerships and city-to-city exchanges to accelerate innovation.

He underscored Abuja’s unique status as “a purpose-built and ever evolving capital with a clear master plan, vision, and mission anchored on service delivery to citizens.”

Wike explained that under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Abuja’s “Smart City Vision” was being driven by strategic investments.

“Urban Mobility is about expansion of transportation networks, intelligent traffic systems, and public transport solutions to reduce congestion and enhance accessibility.

“Sustainability is about smart waste management, renewable energy adoption, and waste-to-wealth initiatives aimed at a cleaner, greener environment.

“Public Safety entails deployment of smart solar streetlights, CCTV surveillance, and rapid emergency response systems to improve security.”

According to Wike, digital governance which is another strategy involved creation of platforms like the FCT call centre and digitised land registry to promote citizen engagement, transparency, and efficiency in service delivery.

He added economic empowerment, which is another strategy to create jobs and attract tech companies by expanding Abuja’s digital environment.

The FCT Minister also emphasised the importance of data in shaping opportunities for Abuja’s youth, referencing Nigeria’s upcoming National Employment Database in partnership with global development partners.

“This system will match skills with job opportunities, guide targeted training, and support entrepreneurship programmes by the Abuja Enterprise Agency,” he said.

According to Wike, Abuja’s transformation into a smart and sustainable city was not only about technology, but about placing citizens at the centre of development – building a safer, more inclusive, and prosperous environment for all.

The Minister while in Dubai has met the UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation, Reem bint Al Hashimy, who oversees the Political Affairs Office of Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.