The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a strict order to Christopher Maikalangu, chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), to immediately cease the unauthorized naming of streets and roads developed by the FCT Administration.
This announcement was made during the commissioning of engineering infrastructure projects in the Guzape AO9 and Asokoro AO4 districts of Abuja on Wednesday.
During his address, Minister Wike shifted focus from the ongoing projects to condemn the irregular practice by some Area Council officials who allegedly assign street names in exchange for payments.
“This is a critical moment to confront a troubling issue. It is unacceptable that roads financed and constructed by the government are being named arbitrarily by council officials, often without my knowledge. This practice is completely inappropriate,” Wike declared.
“Officials receive letters, payments are made, and suddenly roads bear names like Dr. So-and-So Street, Professor So-and-So Street, Bishop So-and-So Street, or Madam So-and-So Street. This is happening on infrastructure we are painstakingly funding. Those who have paid must be reimbursed immediately,” he added.
Wike made it clear that this practice must end, establishing firm guidelines for future street naming.
“Street names should reflect individuals who have genuinely contributed to the development of the community. It is unacceptable to name streets simply because someone has paid ₦2 million. If such transactions are to occur, they should be confined to satellite towns like Keti-Kabusa, Kabusa-Takushara, or Pai-Gomani. Within the city center, the government must approve and verify the background of those honored,” he emphasized.
“Naming streets without proper vetting of the source of funds or the individual’s contributions will no longer be tolerated. I have overlooked this issue until now, but from this point forward, such actions will not be condoned,” Wike warned.
The minister underscored that street naming in central Abuja should be a dignified process reserved for those who have made significant impacts on the nation or local communities, rather than a commercial transaction.
“The government must be confident about the legacy of the person whose name is being immortalized. If payments have been made, the corresponding infrastructure must also be delivered. I once woke up to find a street named after someone in my own neighborhood without prior notification. That is unacceptable,” he explained.
“Going forward, we may honor distinguished sports figures or other notable citizens by naming streets after them to celebrate their contributions to the country and city,” Wike added.
Returning to the infrastructure projects, the minister reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to continuously improving Abuja’s urban environment by providing essential amenities, with the goal of elevating the city’s global standing.
Earlier, the FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, emphasized that the President’s vision to ensure every district within the FCT is accessible and well-equipped remains a key driver behind the government’s initiatives. She described the engineering works in Guzape AO9 and Asokoro AO4 as vital to this mission.
“These developments not only open up these neighborhoods for further expansion but also enhance connectivity, reduce travel times, and alleviate congestion on nearby routes,” Mahmoud stated.
She also expressed appreciation to the National Assembly for their continued financial and legislative support, while praising Minister Wike for his dynamic and focused leadership of the FCT Administration.