President Bola Tinubu has approved the allocation of plots of land in Abuja for Nigeria’s ambassadors and high commissioners-designate, in a move aimed at strengthening their presence in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) when they return for official engagements.
The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, disclosed this on Wednesday while hosting the envoys at his residence in Life Camp, Abuja. The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, as part of an induction programme for newly appointed diplomats.
Wike explained that the initiative, backed by President Tinubu, is intended to ensure that Nigeria’s diplomatic representatives have a permanent base in Abuja for periodic consultations and briefings.
According to him, the President believes many of the envoys currently do not have residential bases in the capital and should be supported with land allocation forms to facilitate this.
Beyond the land approval, Wike charged the ambassadors to actively project Nigeria’s image abroad, stressing that they represent the country’s identity on the global stage.
He urged them to reinforce President Tinubu’s economic diplomacy efforts, noting that the President has engaged extensively in foreign visits to attract investment and partnerships.
“You must build confidence in Nigeria as a viable destination for investment,” he said, adding that the envoys play a key role in sustaining international trust in the country.
Addressing concerns about Nigeria’s democratic system, Wike reiterated that the country remains a multi-party democracy and dismissed suggestions of a shift toward a one-party state, urging the diplomats to communicate this clearly in their respective postings.
He also highlighted investment opportunities in the FCT, particularly in agriculture and waste management across area councils such as Gwagwalada and Kwali, calling on the envoys to help attract foreign investors.
Wike further revealed ongoing discussions with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the European Commission on development cooperation and investment partnerships.
He expressed optimism about Nigeria’s future, stating that the country would become more stable and united in the coming years.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, described the induction as critical, noting that the ambassadors had been assigned at a key moment in Nigeria’s development, with economic diplomacy and investment promotion as central priorities.
