Abuja—The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has officially allocated parcels of land to members of the FCT Council of Traditional Rulers and approved a waiver of all statutory fees associated with their land titles. The announcement was made during a formal ceremony held on Friday in the nation’s capital, following a directive from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Addressing the gathering, Wike emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of indigenous communities who lived in the area prior to the creation of the FCT.
“We cannot deny the fact that there are indigenous people who were here before the creation of the FCT. The President said we must extend a hand of fellowship to you. We must give honour to whom honour is due. If those who make peace cannot be appreciated with land, who should be?” the minister stated.
The allocation and fee waiver are part of broader efforts to honor traditional rulers for their continued role in fostering peace and stability within the FCT. Wike praised the leaders for ensuring what he described as the most peaceful Area Council elections in the territory’s history.
To further support their functions, the minister also pledged the provision of utility vehicles to all traditional rulers in the FCT, noting that this would enable them to perform their administrative and community duties more effectively.
Highlighting ongoing infrastructural developments, Wike detailed several projects across satellite towns, including the dualisation of the Airport–Kuje road, the Bwari–Zuba link road, and improvements in Apo/Karshi and Basan Jiwa. He also mentioned the nearing completion of the Arab Road network, emphasizing the government’s commitment to enhancing connectivity within the territory.
Regarding the fee waiver, Wike stressed that it would be unjust to require traditional rulers to raise large sums for lands long occupied by their families and ancestors. “The president has also said I should waive the payment of statutory fees. We cannot give you the task to go and look for money to pay,” he added.
In response, the Ona of Abaji and Chairman of the Council of Traditional Rulers, Adamu Yunusa, expressed gratitude to both the President and the FCT minister. He assured the government of the council’s continued support for federal initiatives and policies aimed at improving governance at the grassroots level.
This move underscores the ongoing engagement between the federal government and traditional institutions, which remain central to community leadership, land administration, and the maintenance of social stability across the FCT. Traditional rulers, often acting as intermediaries between local communities and government authorities, continue to play a pivotal role in ensuring effective governance, particularly during elections and in mediating land-related disputes.
By formally recognizing the contributions of indigenous leaders and providing land without financial burdens, the federal government aims to strengthen the collaboration between traditional institutions and administrative authorities, fostering peace, development, and inclusivity within Nigeria’s capital territory.
