What we expect from Wike in 2026 – FCT residents

As the year 2025 wound up yesterday, a cross section of residents of the FCT spoke with Abuja Metro on the areas the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, should prioritise this new year.

Josephine Joseph: The minister has to pay serious attention to the rot in public primary and secondary schools in the territory. Although I heard he has awarded contracts for the renovation of some schools, he has practically neglected the manpower.

Most of these schools have no teachers. In some area councils, you find schools with only three or four teachers.

The minister should immediately approve the recruitment of more teachers.

While we commend his infrastructural development in the city centre, he must now prioritise education.

Joseph Isiah: So far, the minister has not paid serious attention to agriculture. As a crop farmer and a member of the farmers’ association in the FCT, I cannot recall any significant assistance provided to us in the last two years. As we enter the new year, the minister should please support farmers through subsidised inputs, the provision of extension officers and improved security in rural communities. This will enable farmers to return to their fields safely.

Chike Kanu: The minister should focus more on the welfare of the people. It is good to construct roads, but he should concentrate on the wellbeing of the people who use them.

He can achieve this through various empowerment programmes.

Also, it is high time he shifted attention to the satellite towns. Areas like Kubwa, Lugbe, Nyanya, Karu and Gwagwalada need his intervention. The internal roads in these areas are in terrible condition.

Dr Sani Ali (Commandant-General, NESO): I will focus on my area of expertise: security. The minister should engage stakeholders considering the current security situation in the country. Abuja is currently vulnerable because of its vast forests and hills that remain unprotected. We need Abuja to be highly secure as the seat of power. Securing the capital will attract foreign investment and develop tourism.

Nnamdi Namani: I wish for the minister to focus more on citizen wellbeing. He excelled in infrastructure throughout 2025, but in the coming year, he should focus on the welfare of FCT staff and residents. When staff are well-taken care of, they give their best. If they are unhappy or treated poorly, productivity will naturally drop.

Naomi Isah: It is disheartening that casual workers still exist in the FCT. At the water board, AEPB and various hospitals, many workers remain on a casual basis. The minister should set an example for the states by absorbing these staff into the civil service. I know financial constraints exist, but as senior staff retire, these casual workers should be engaged to replace them.

Yakubu Danjuma Bello: Now that we have witnessed the New Year, we expect the minister to focus on satellite towns and the opening of new layouts for housing projects. There is a massive housing deficit in the FCT. Opening new layouts will address this and help crash the high cost of rent.

He should also look into health and education. Currently, doctors and other health staff are on strike. If these strikes continue, low-income earners will have nowhere to turn for medical attention.

Jamila Muhammad: The minister must address the heaps of refuse in many parts of the territory. Even in the city centre, there is dirt everywhere. He should ensure the relevant departments perform their duties.

He has done well with road infrastructure in the city centre. Now let him take that development to the rural areas. Most people working in the city actually reside in the surrounding towns and villages.

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