Wike Has Not Failed Me, Continues To Surpass My Expectations–Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday said that the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has exceeded the mandate given to him, saying the minister has “not failed” but has continued to surpass expectations through the rapid transformation of Abuja.

Tinubu made the remarks while commissioning the Transit Way N2 connecting the Central Business District to Wuse District, complete with two strategic bridges, as part of projects marking his administration’s third anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Federal Capital Territory.

The President said he had given Wike a clear directive upon appointing him as FCT Minister: to deliver tangible results, eliminate delays and restore Abuja to its original master plan.

“When I gave the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, the mandate to oversee the Federal Capital Territory, my directive was single, clear and uncompromising: deliver tangible results to the people, eliminate delays and return Abuja to its master plan.

“I also stressed that the Renewed Hope Agenda must not just be a slogan written on billboards, but a living reality that our people can see, touch and drive upon. He has not failed me. He has continued to surpass my expectation,” Tinubu declared.

Commending the FCT Administration, the President described the newly completed corridor as a critical component of Abuja’s master plan designed to improve connectivity, reduce traffic congestion and boost economic activities.

He praised Wike, whom he referred to as “Mr. Project,” for delivering quality infrastructure within schedule and contributing to the long-term development of the nation’s capital.

“Today, as we celebrate my administration’s historic third year in office and mark 50 years since the creation of the Federal Capital Territory, I commend the FCT Administration, led by Mr. Project himself, for its vision, commitment to quality and timely execution.

“You have contributed to something larger than a roadway, you have contributed to the future of our capital,” he said.

Tinubu noted that commuters had endured years of gridlock between Wuse and the Central Area, describing the new road as “an economic artery” that would reduce travel time, open new commercial corridors and improve urban mobility.

He said the project reflected the Renewed Hope Agenda’s commitment to infrastructure that unlocks economic potential and supports sustainable development.

The President also declared an end to the era of abandoned projects in the FCT.

“Abuja is no longer a city of abandoned projects. The era of contractors taking mobilisation money and disappearing into thin air is permanently over in the FCT. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, if we sign a contract, we fund it, we monitor it and we commission it,” he said.

He commended the contractor for meeting the delivery deadline and urged residents to protect the infrastructure and obey traffic regulations.

Earlier, Wike attributed the unprecedented pace of infrastructure delivery in the FCT to Tinubu’s consistent support and policy decisions, particularly the removal of the FCT Administration from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

According to him, the policy enabled the administration to access commercial financing using its Internally Generated Revenue as collateral, making it possible to execute major infrastructure projects across Abuja.

“If that decision had not been taken, we would not have been able to execute many of the projects Nigerians are witnessing today,” Wike said.

He explained that under the TSA arrangement, the FCT Administration was unable to obtain loans from commercial banks because it could only operate accounts with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“The transformation taking place across Abuja today is a direct result of that visionary policy. It is a revolution that was initiated by Mr. President, and I commend you for it,” the minister stated.

Wike also recounted how he challenged the contractor after discovering significant delays during an inspection in May, warning that failure to meet project timelines could jeopardise future government contracts.

He said the contractor later revised its work plan, intensified construction and eventually delivered the project on schedule.

“I sincerely thank them and assure them that as long as they continue to deliver quality work, we will continue to partner with them,” he added.

The minister also praised Tinubu for providing the leadership and enabling environment that had accelerated development in the nation’s capital.

FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the Transit Way N2 as more than a road project, saying it represents a strategic investment in connectivity, economic growth and urban efficiency.

She said the project fulfilled another promise of the FCT Administration to build a modern and inclusive capital city.

“Today, we celebrate not merely the completion of a road, but the fulfilment of a promise, the triumph of vision and another shining milestone in the remarkable transformation of our nation’s capital,” Mahmoud said.

She said that the new corridor will significantly improve access between the Central Business District and Wuse, reduce travel time, ease daily commuting and support business activities across Abuja.