The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), led by Minister Nyesom Wike, is set to begin construction of a new headquarters for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to perform the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday, as part of activities marking his second year in office.
The multi-billion naira project will be located in Maitama, an upscale district of the capital city, and will be fully funded and executed by the FCTA under the supervision of Minister Wike. Though the exact cost has not been disclosed, officials confirmed it will run into several billions of naira.
Defending the decision to fund a project for an independent body, an official of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) explained that the FCTA has historically constructed major federal buildings in Abuja, including the National Assembly and the Presidential Villa.
While the project is reportedly captured in the FCTA’s 2025 budget, the document is still awaiting presidential assent, and final figures remain unpublished.
The development comes amid growing scrutiny of Wike’s leadership in the FCT, following recent controversies such as the construction of residential quarters for judges—a move critics allege is politically motivated.
Confirming the INEC project, Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, said it falls fully within the FCTA’s responsibilities.
He added that most federal buildings in Abuja, including the National Assembly, are technically FCTA property, and urged journalists to await the official launch for more details on the project’s cost.
