President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is a reflection of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He assured Nigerians that similar infrastructure development would be replicated across cities, satellite towns and rural communities nationwide.
Tinubu made the declaration when he commissioned Collector Road C01 and a bridge linking the Body of Benchers, Nile University and Baze University in Abuja’s Institution and Research District, describing the project as another fulfilled promise of his administration.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President said the completion of the road demonstrated his government’s resolve to translate campaign promises into tangible projects that improve the lives of Nigerians.
“When we came into office, we made a solemn pledge to the Nigerian people. We promised not to allow governance to become a series of abandoned dreams and half-hearted efforts. We promised Renewed Hope.
“And today, as we stand on this newly constructed Collector Road C01, complete with its bridge, we are not just looking at the physical road; we are looking at a promise kept,” Tinubu said.
He disclosed that the extension of the corridor towards Ring Road III (RR III) and other parts of Abuja had already been flagged off, noting that it would connect the Institution and Research District to the capital city’s wider road network.
According to him, the expanded road network will ease traffic congestion, shorten travel time and strengthen links between educational institutions, residential communities and commercial centres.
“One road becomes a system. That is how connectivity scales,” he said.
Tinubu observed that although the Institution and Research District was conceived under the Abuja Master Plan as the nation’s intellectual hub, years of inadequate infrastructure had limited access to major institutions such as the Body of Benchers, Nile University and Baze University.
Recalling appeals by the Body of Benchers during last year’s Nigerian Law School Call to Bar ceremony over traffic congestion and poor access roads, the President said his administration responded immediately.
“When the Body of Benchers cried out to us during the Nigeria Law School Call to Bar ceremony last year for relief from traffic gridlock and lack of access, we listened.
“I told my Minister, the ‘Mr. Project’ of our time, Nyesom Wike, ‘We cannot have the legal luminaries of our nation navigating potholes to train our future advocates. We cannot have students arriving late to lectures because of a lack of a simple bridge.’
“We did not just talk about it. We approved it under emergency procurement. And today, just months later, here we are,” he said.
The President noted that the project had restored easy movement, enhanced safety and created a more conducive environment for teaching, learning and professional development.
He added that the construction created hundreds of direct and indirect jobs for young Nigerians, stressing that infrastructure remains the backbone of economic growth.
“Infrastructure is the greatest enabler of economic prosperity. When you build roads, you open up districts. When you open up districts, you invite investment. And when investment comes, Nigeria grows,” he stated.
Tinubu commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, for what he described as his unwavering commitment to delivering critical infrastructure across the FCT.
“You have proven once again that when you are given a job, you do not sleep until it is done. This marathon of project commissioning across the FCT is a clear testament that this administration is firmly in action mode,” he said.
The President urged the management, staff and students of Nile University and Baze University, the Body of Benchers and residents of the district to protect the newly completed infrastructure.
“This road belongs to you. Protect it. Cherish it. Let it serve as a daily reminder that your government believes in your future and is committed to building the infrastructure that will carry your dreams forward,” he said.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to infrastructure development nationwide, Tinubu said; “This administration will not stop. We will continue to invest in our cities, our satellite towns and our rural communities because every Nigerian deserves the dividends of good governance.
“The transformation of Abuja is a microcosm of the transformation we are bringing to the entire Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Earlier, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, expressed appreciation to the President for providing the support and resources that have enabled the FCT Administration to execute numerous infrastructure projects.
He attributed the rapid pace of project delivery to Tinubu’s decision to remove the FCT Administration from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), saying the policy had improved access to funds for capital projects.
“We thank you for your support. We thank you for the resources made available by removing us from the TSA. That’s why today we are having so many projects to be commissioned,” Wike said.
The minister reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to balanced infrastructure development across the FCT, stressing that no district would be left behind.
“Every district will receive the attention of the present government. We have gone round so many districts, both in the city and the satellite towns. Today, we are here to commission this important project,” he added.
