The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has disclosed that the FCT Administration has increased its internally generated revenue from about ₦9 billion to over ₦40 billion monthly since he assumed office.
Wike made the disclosure during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Thursday, July 9, where he attributed the sharp rise in revenue to reforms introduced by his administration and President Bola Tinubu’s approval removing the FCT Administration from the Treasury Single Account.
According to the minister, the removal from the TSA gave the FCT Administration the financial flexibility required to improve revenue collection, block leakages and execute critical infrastructure projects across the territory.
“Remember, when we came on board, our IGR was mere ₦9 billion a month. But as I speak to you today, we have been able to improve up to over ₦40 billion,” Wike said.
“So, when people now say FCT is working, it’s working because somebody has made it to work by pulling you out of that TSA. And if that was not done, no matter whatever you say, it would have been difficult.
“And we must give it to Mr President for having that eye to see that this is an impediment,” he added.
Wike said the growth in revenue did not happen by chance but was the result of deliberate administrative measures, including aggressive collection of land-related revenues such as ground rents and Certificates of Occupancy fees, improved tax compliance and efforts to block revenue leakages.
The minister noted that the improved revenue profile has enabled the administration to fund road projects, enhance service delivery and push forward its infrastructure development agenda in Abuja and other parts of the FCT.
Defending his administration’s focus on road construction, Wike said transport infrastructure remains the foundation for economic growth and development in the territory.
He explained that the FCT Administration deliberately prioritised the completion of abandoned projects before embarking on new ones, noting that many of the projects completed or ongoing under his administration had been awarded more than a decade ago but left unattended.
“It is not about awarding contracts; it’s about making sure that the jobs are being done based on the resources you have,” Wike said.
“One thing I have found out is when residents rejoice that contract has been awarded, they get bitter when they have not seen anything pertaining to the award; they would even tell you why in the first place you awarded the contract.
“So, I prefer something that if I go ahead to do this within the time limit I have, I’ll be able to complete them. See the things we are doing now, the President said look we cannot abandon road projects, but while we are not abandoning projects we must also see that we carry out new projects.”
Wike said about 70 per cent of the projects executed by the FCT Administration in the last three years were abandoned projects awarded between 15 and 16 years ago.
“I can tell you that 70 per cent of the projects we have done in the past three years are projects that were awarded 15 years, 16 years ago, abandoned, and if we had allowed that then you will now know what would have happened in Abuja,” he said.
“Even if you do any new thing they would say look at these areas that have been abandoned.”
The minister said the decision to complete long-abandoned projects while also initiating new developments was necessary to restore public confidence and ensure balanced infrastructure delivery across the FCT.
Wike had earlier disclosed that the FCT generated a record ₦262 billion in internally generated revenue in 2024, adding that the administration would continue to intensify lawful tax and ground rent collection to sustain ongoing and future projects.
He appealed to residents to comply with their tax obligations, stressing that improved revenue collection would translate into better roads, public services and infrastructure.
The minister maintained that the progress recorded in the FCT demonstrates what can be achieved through focused leadership, accountability and efficient management of public resources.
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