The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called out Abuja’s wealthy residents, saying they are the biggest obstacle to voluntary tax compliance, which is crucial for delivering essential infrastructure across the city.
Wike made this statement on June 20, 2025, during the official commissioning of the Collector Road CN2 (Zakari A. Kyari Street). The road, linking Ahmadu Bello Way in Mabushi to Katampe District, was inaugurated by President Bola Tinubu as part of activities marking his second year in office.
According to Wike, these “big men” often refuse to pay ground rents and taxes in Abuja, while willingly meeting their tax obligations abroad in places like London and the United States. He noted that taxes and ground rents paid by responsible residents made the CN2 and connecting roads possible.
“If you don’t pay, nobody will provide this infrastructure. The city relies on taxes to fund these projects,” Wike emphasized.
FCT Needs More Revenue to Fund Development
Wike explained that Abuja receives only 1% of the Federal Government’s monthly allocation, which is inadequate for paying salaries—now over ₦13 billion due to minimum wage adjustments—let alone funding infrastructure projects.
“People say Abuja is rich. How rich is it? If we only depend on federal allocation, we can barely pay salaries,” he said.
He urged FCT residents to see tax payment as a civic duty and warned that the names of defaulters would soon be published in newspapers to encourage compliance.
President Tinubu and Wike Prioritize Infrastructure
The CN2 road project was handled by CGC and flagged off in October 2024. It features a dual carriageway, while other connecting roads in Katampe District are single carriageways.
Richard Dauda, Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), said the road was built to open up the district for further development.
The inauguration also saw Wike inspect other ongoing projects like the Judges Quarters in Katampe and the N5 Road (Obafemi Awolowo Way) connecting Life Camp to Ring Road III, scheduled for commissioning soon.
“We need residents to pay their taxes so we can continue to deliver the infrastructure they desire,” Wike added.
Key Takeaway
Wike’s call highlights the importance of tax compliance in building Abuja’s infrastructure. With the federal allocation falling short, the FCT administration is relying on responsible residents to fulfill their civic responsibilities and support the city’s growth.
