By Daniel Tyokua
President Bola Tinubu has approved the allocation of land in Abuja for Ambassador- designates and High commissioners.
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike made the announcement on Wednesday, while handing over application forms for the allocation prior to concluding their induction program.
He said the initiative would help the Nigeria’s top diplomats have a permanent residence in the nation’s capital to occupy.
Wike noted that many envoys currently lack a personal base in Abuja; the land serves as both an incentive and a “stake” in the city they represent.
He emphasized that as the “eyes and ears” of the nation, the conduct of these envoys directly shapes the global perception of Nigeria.
The Minister urged the envoys to use the ongoing infrastructure boom in the FCT as a talking point to attract foreign investment.
Highlighting upcoming urban partnerships with the European Commission, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Thailand, Wike tasked the diplomats with countering negative narratives by projecting Abuja as a world-class destination.
”The way the world sees you is the way they will see Nigeria. You are the mirror,” Wike said.
The visit by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs delegation, led by Permanent Secretary Amb. Dunoma Umar Ahmed, signaled a deepening partnership between the diplomatic corps and the FCT Administration.
Leveraging missions abroad to draw investors to Abuja’s infrastructure and agricultural sectors, the Ministry requested a dedicated bridge officer to streamline communication between Foreign Affairs and the FCTA.
Amb. Ahmed stressed that as the seat of government, Abuja must reflect the highest global standards to the international community.
By granting land to its envoys, the Tinubu administration is not just providing a perk of the office—it is physically anchoring the nation’s global representatives to the heart of the country they serve.
