‎By Olawumi Oyehan

‎President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Thursday, said Abuja City Walk, during its construction phases and full operations, is expected to generate tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs for Nigerians.

‎ Tinubu, who stated this in Abuja, at the launch of the Sales Office/Experience Centre: The Abuja City Walk Development, Abuja, said the Abuja City Walk is a window to a multi-billion-dollar future for Nigerians.

‎Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the occasion, said the walk is one of the most ambitious private sector investment projects in the history of the nation.

‎ “Today, we are not just opening a building. We are unveiling the window to a multi-billion-dollar future. We are presenting a tangible manifestation of our Renewed Hope agenda, sculpted in concrete, innovation, and unwavering determination.

‎”On assumption of office, we promised Nigerians a radical economic transformation and infrastructure renewal. We committed to turning potential into prosperity and making our federal capital territory a true global beacon of governance, commerce, and modern living.

‎ “The Abuja City Walk is one of the most ambitious private sector investment projects in the history of our great nation. Spanning several hectares of land along the Abuja Airport Expressway corridor, this project will serve as Nigeria’s foremost gateway to the world.

‎”While it draws world-class inspiration from globally acclaimed models like the Dubai City Walk, it has been meticulously customized by our partners. Through this development, we are pushing the boundaries of architectural and engineering possibility in Africa.

‎”This magnificent project also underscores our deep conviction that sustainable national development cannot be carried out by the government alone. The Abuja City Walk is a shining example of what can be achieved when political will meets private sector expertise and capital.

‎”By granting this corridor a free trade zone status, we have further eliminated trade friction, laying down a fertile environment for regional commerce, medical tourism, premium retail, and high-end hospitality.

‎ “Let me use this medium to reassure both domestic and international investors: Nigeria is open for business, and your investments are safe. Our legal, physical, and financial frameworks are continuously being optimized to protect capital, guarantee returns, and eliminate unnecessary administrative bottlenecks,” he said.

‎He, therefore, commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his dogged leadership and unwavering focus on execution.

‎”For 20 years, the Abuja Technology Village corridor lay dormant. Today, through aggressive land administration reforms and the eradication of bureaucratic inertia, it is being transformed into a bustling construction hub.

‎” Under the Renewed Hope agenda, this administration is gradually putting a permanent end to the era of land speculation and abandoned major projects in Abuja. We have made it clear that land is an asset for rapid development, not an instrument for developmental retrogression and speculative hoarding,” he said.

‎ Tinubu also tasked the FCT administration and the partners in this project, MAG International Links, to maintain the intense momentum. The launch of this sales office and experience center must translate immediately into accelerated brick-and-mortar execution on site.

‎Among other things, the Abuja City Walk is expeecyed to have luxury residences, five-star hotels, and glittering office towers.

‎”This project is a massive economic engine. During its construction phases and full operations, it is expected to generate tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs for our vibrant youth population, artisans, engineers, and creative minds. It will stimulate localized supply chains, from cement manufacturing to digital tech services, reinvigorating the economy of the entire FCT and surrounding states,” he noted.

‎Earlier, Wike said the project aligned with Tinubu’s efforts to attract investment into Nigeria and revealed that it was initiated after discussions with development partners introduced through the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Emem Usoro.

‎Wike recalled his initial scepticism after years of receiving proposals that never materialised but said he became convinced after the developers demonstrated commitment and accepted immediate inspections of the proposed site.

‎He disclosed that the 250-hectare site, originally designated for the Abuja Technology Village over three decades ago, had been overtaken by land grabbers and fraudulent land claims before the FCT Administration intervened.

‎”I put my foot down and said this is government property and I must drive this development to come to the FCT,” Wike said.

‎The minister explained that he personally chaired the implementation committee to eliminate bureaucratic delays and ensure strict compliance with agreed timelines.

‎He said government fulfilled its obligations by issuing all statutory approvals within days, constructing access roads through CGC Nigeria Limited and coordinating relevant agencies to fast-track project execution.

‎”The whole essence of government is to provide an enabling environment for investors to come in and develop. There are a lot of jobs that will be created here,” Wike said.

‎He, however, warned the developers that failure to meet agreed milestones would result in the withdrawal of the land allocation.

‎”I’m not interested in theories and theories. I’m interested in keeping to our agreement in terms of what we have said. If the timelines are not met, we’ll take back our land,” he declared.

‎In his welcome address, Executive Director of Link Developments Master, City Walk, Dr Kassim Gidado, described the commissioning of the Experience Centre as a major milestone in delivering the Abuja City Walk vision.

‎He said the facility was designed to provide investors and stakeholders with an immersive preview of the development through physical models, interactive digital displays and fully furnished prototype apartments.

‎According to him, the master plan envisions a “city within a city” spanning 250 hectares, featuring a Google Tech Village, Knowledge Park with two universities, healthcare facilities, city walk malls, five-star hotels, exhibition centres, residential communities, parks, police and fire stations, places of worship and what is projected to become West Africa’s largest indoor multipurpose arena.

‎Gidado said the project aims to create a modern, climate-responsive and walkable mixed-use district where innovation, commerce, culture and community life converge, positioning Abuja as a leading destination for global investment and sustainable urban development.