President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday intensified efforts to attract domestic and foreign investment into Nigeria with the launch of the Sales Office and Experience Centre for the multi-billion-dollar Abuja City Walk project.

 

He declared that the country is open for business and committed to providing a conducive environment for investors.

 

Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the unveiling in Abuja, Tinubu described the development as a landmark public-private partnership that reflects his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and its determination to transform the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) into a world-class destination for commerce, tourism, innovation and modern urban living.

 

He said the project marked more than the inauguration of a facility, describing it as “a window to a multi-billion-dollar future” that demonstrates government’s resolve to translate policy promises into tangible economic outcomes.

 

“Today, we are not just opening a building. We are unveiling the window to a multi-billion-dollar future. We are presenting a tangible manifestation of our Renewed Hope Agenda, sculpted in concrete, innovation and unwavering determination,” the President said.

 

Tinubu recalled that upon assuming office, his administration pledged to reposition the economy through infrastructure renewal and investment-friendly reforms, adding that the Abuja City Walk project is one of the most ambitious private-sector investments undertaken in the country.

 

Located along the Abuja Airport Expressway corridor, the mixed-use development is expected to feature luxury residences, commercial districts, hospitality facilities, healthcare centres, educational institutions, technology hubs and recreational spaces, positioning Abuja as a major investment destination in Africa.

 

Drawing inspiration from the renowned Dubai City Walk while incorporating local realities, the President said the project would redefine Nigeria’s capital city and strengthen its competitiveness in the global investment landscape.

 

He stressed that sustainable economic development cannot be achieved by government alone, noting that strategic partnerships with the private sector remain central to unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential.

 

According to him, the Federal Government’s decision to grant the corridor Free Trade Zone status is aimed at reducing trade barriers, stimulating regional commerce and attracting investments in medical tourism, premium retail and high-end hospitality.

 

Tinubu assured investors that the administration would continue to strengthen the legal, financial and regulatory environment to safeguard investments.

 

“Let me reassure both domestic and international investors: Nigeria is open for business, and your investments are safe. Our legal, physical and financial frameworks are continuously being optimised to protect capital, guarantee returns and eliminate unnecessary administrative bottlenecks,” he said.

 

The President commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for reviving the long-abandoned Abuja Technology Village corridor, which had remained largely undeveloped for decades.

 

He noted that aggressive land administration reforms had ended years of bureaucratic delays and speculative land holding, paving the way for the commencement of large-scale development.

 

“For 20 years, the Abuja Technology Village corridor lay dormant. Today, through aggressive land administration reforms and the eradication of bureaucratic inertia, it is being transformed into a bustling construction hub,” he said.

 

Tinubu urged the FCT Administration and the project’s developers, MAG International Links, to sustain the pace of implementation, stressing that the success of the project would ultimately be measured by its economic and social impact.

 

He said the development is expected to generate tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs for engineers, artisans, construction workers, technology professionals and other skilled and unskilled workers, while boosting supply chains across the FCT and neighbouring states.

 

Highlighting Nigeria’s demographic advantage, the President said the country’s youthful population presents enormous opportunities for investment and economic growth if properly harnessed.

 

“This experience centre is an invitation to be a part of Nigeria’s future. It is a physical declaration that we possess the courage to conceive big dreams and the discipline to bring them to life,” he added before officially declaring the facility open.

 

Earlier, Wike disclosed that the project was initiated following discussions with development partners introduced through the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Emem Usoro, who facilitated engagement between the FCT Administration and the investors.

 

The minister said he initially approached the proposal with caution after years of receiving investment pitches that failed to materialise, but became convinced after the developers demonstrated commitment by immediately inspecting the proposed site and agreeing to strict implementation timelines.

 

According to him, the 250-hectare site had been designated for the Abuja Technology Village more than three decades ago but remained undeveloped as a result of bureaucratic bottlenecks, illegal occupation and fraudulent land claims.

 

“I put my foot down and said this is government property, and I must drive this development to come to the FCT,” Wike said.

 

He explained that to eliminate bureaucratic delays, he personally chaired the implementation committee overseeing the project, bringing together all relevant departments responsible for land administration, development control, planning and approvals.

 

Wike said the FCT Administration fulfilled its obligations by granting all statutory approvals within days and providing supporting infrastructure, including access roads constructed by CGC Nigeria Limited.

 

“The whole essence of government is to provide an enabling environment for investors to come in and develop. There are a lot of jobs that will be created here,” he said.

 

The minister, however, warned that the land allocation would be revoked if the developers failed to meet agreed milestones contained in the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the FCT Administration.

 

“I’m not interested in theories and theories. I’m interested in keeping to our agreement. If the timelines are not met, we’ll take back our land,” he declared.

 

In his welcome address, Executive Director of Link Developments Master City Walk, Dr Kassim Gidado, described the Experience Centre as the first tangible step towards delivering a modern mixed-use urban district designed to integrate technology, commerce, education, healthcare, recreation and residential living.

 

He said the facility offers prospective investors an immersive preview of the development through interactive digital displays, architectural models and fully furnished prototype apartments.

 

According to Gidado, the master plan includes a technology village, knowledge park, universities, hospitals, five-star hotels, shopping malls, exhibition centres, residential neighbourhoods, parks, emergency services, places of worship and what is projected to become West Africa’s largest indoor multipurpose arena.

 

He added that the project would contribute significantly to Abuja’s emergence as a globally competitive city while creating employment opportunities, stimulating economic activities and promoting sustainable urban development.