The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has appealed to residents of Abuja to manage their expectations regarding the pace of development across various sectors.
He emphasized that it is unrealistic to anticipate a complete overhaul of all areas within just two years of the current administration.
Wike made these remarks during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, where he addressed pressing issues concerning infrastructure, education, healthcare, and transportation. He acknowledged the concerns of residents but urged patience and understanding, noting that strategic planning and prioritization are crucial for meaningful and sustainable progress.
Speaking on the state of education, the Minister criticized the widespread obsession with expanding infrastructure without paying adequate attention to the quality of education delivered.
According to him, “Everyone wants a university in their community, yet no one is asking about the academic standards of the existing institutions. We keep talking about access, but what about excellence?”
He emphasized that fewer, well-equipped, and properly managed educational institutions would serve the country better than a proliferation of poorly resourced universities. “I would prefer to have just three universities that are well-funded, well-staffed, and delivering quality education, rather than many substandard ones,” he said.
In a similar vein, Wike addressed expectations surrounding the rehabilitation of healthcare facilities and hospitals in the capital. He stressed that citizens must understand that significant transformations in the health sector take time and cannot occur overnight.
Regarding Abuja’s much-criticized transport system, the minister admitted it remains chaotic but assured the public that reforms are already underway. “We are making efforts to bring sanity to the transport system. These reforms have started, but you cannot expect a full turnaround of all sectors within two years. That’s just not realistic,” Wike said.
He reiterated the importance of focused, goal-oriented governance. “A responsible government works with targets. From this period to that period, you focus on a specific sector and make measurable progress. You cannot scatter your energy everywhere at once,” he explained.
When asked about the limited public visibility of some mandate secretaries, Wike pushed back, asserting that public appearances or media visibility should not be used as a yardstick for performance.
“You cannot dictate how we communicate with the public. Just because you don’t see someone frequently on TV doesn’t mean they aren’t working. Do I strike you as a minister who sits idly in an office? I approve funds, I supervise projects — that’s what leadership entails,” he said.
The minister noted that while progress is being made in areas such as education and infrastructure, the administration deliberately avoids media fanfare for projects like school upgrades, unlike road construction projects that often draw public attention. “We are upgrading educational infrastructure quietly and efficiently. Not every project requires elaborate ceremonies,” he added.