The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has called for strategic partnerships and investments in Abuja, noting that the city provides opportunities for investment in agriculture, healthcare, tourism, construction, mining, and renewable energy.
This comes as a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and Governor of Anambra State, Charles Soludo, called for investment in made-in-Nigeria products to promote investment across all sectors of the economy.
Wike and Soludo made the call at the maiden Abuja Business and Investment Summit, themed “Optimising Investments through Partnership”, held at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Wednesday.
Wike disclosed that his administration will flag off nine major projects in the coming week as part of efforts to further enhance investment opportunities in the FCT.
He emphasised the potential of the FCT, stating that his administration had undertaken measures to create an enabling environment for investment by prioritising infrastructure development and the provision of utilities.
“Abuja is not just the political capital of Nigeria; it is a place of opportunities waiting to be harnessed. Our unique position, strategic location, and growing population create a fertile ground for investment across various sectors, including real estate, technology, agriculture, healthcare, tourism, construction, mining, and renewable energy.
“The FCT Administration has undertaken significant measures to create an enabling environment for local and foreign investors. That is why we have prioritised the development of roads, transportation networks, and utilities to ensure seamless connectivity within the territory. In fact, we will flag off the construction of nine major projects next week, which will undoubtedly enhance investment opportunities across the territory.
“I want to emphasise that the FCT is open for business. We have streamlined our processes to make it easier for investors to set up and operate. I invite you to explore the myriad investment opportunities in the FCT. Whether you are interested in real estate development, technology incubation, or agro-business, there is a place for you here,” he said.
Soludo, in his keynote address, said, “I want to share a simple point with you: the biggest way to promote massive investments in all sectors in Nigeria is to buy, eat, drive, and drink made-in-Nigeria products. Yes, I drove to this conference with my Innoson Vehicle made in Anambra State.
“I’m wearing Akwete made by women of Akwete in Abia. And my shoe, probably there; we will come and show you around Ogbunike and all of that. I’m wearing my own nationalism on my head; that’s the green eagle. I am Nigerian, and God didn’t make a mistake in making me a Nigerian.”
“Everybody else fights for their own country because no matter how you think about globalisation and all of that, populations are still confined within nation-states. And the government must provide jobs for those people,” he said.
Soludo also described education as a “sustainable investment”, noting that investing in education will secure the collective investment in the country.
“The sustainability of our investments is in our enlightened self-interest. Make sure that we empower everybody and leave people for everything. That way, we can secure our investment,” he stated.
In her welcome address, the Group Managing Director of the Abuja Investment Company Limited, Maureen Tamuno, said the summit aimed to promote investment opportunities in the FCT and create a platform for networking between investors within and outside the country.
