By Faridat Salifu
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called for stronger partnerships with German cities to attract investment into agriculture, information and communications technology (ICT), and youth skills development in Abuja.
Wike made the appeal on Tuesday during a meeting with the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Stefan Rössel, in Abuja, where both sides discussed opportunities to strengthen cooperation in infrastructure, urban planning and economic development.
The minister said the FCT Administration was ready to deepen Nigeria-Germany relations through partnerships that could support Abuja’s transformation into a world-class capital comparable with cities such as Berlin, Munich and Washington, DC.
He stressed that security and modern infrastructure were essential to attracting foreign investors and creating an enabling environment for diplomatic missions and businesses.
Wike said the administration had intensified efforts to address security and infrastructure challenges through improved security measures and road construction.
“Our vision is to see Abuja become one of the best cities in the world. With the mandate to change the narrative, security and the environment have improved, and road infrastructure is being actively delivered,” he said.
The minister also defended the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, including proposals for decentralisation and state policing to address insecurity.
Acknowledging the economic difficulties facing Nigerians, Wike urged patience, arguing that structural reforms required time to deliver lasting benefits.
Earlier, Rössel reaffirmed Germany’s interest in expanding bilateral cooperation with Nigeria, noting that the two countries maintained longstanding diplomatic relations.
The ambassador acknowledged infrastructure developments in Abuja and said the benefits of economic reforms would take time to translate into improved employment and living standards.
“As a new ambassador, it is immediately visible that this country is on the move,” Rössel said.
He added that Germany had supported Nigeria’s reform efforts and would continue to do so.
Rössel further disclosed that the German Embassy and European Union member states were interested in collaborating with the FCT Administration on urban planning, infrastructure development and city governance.
The proposed cooperation could open opportunities for investment and knowledge exchange in sectors identified by the FCT Administration as important to Abuja’s development, particularly agriculture, ICT and youth skills acquisition.
