Tinubu Commissions Renovated Abuja City Gate, Praises Wike for FCT Transformation

President Bola Tinubu formally commissioned the renovated Abuja City Gate on Thursday, marking what his administration described as a significant milestone: the third anniversary of his presidency and the 50th anniversary of the Federal Capital Territory. The President was represented at the ceremony by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, whose presence, according to FCT Minister of State Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, added national significance to the occasion.

The Abuja City Gate renovation commissioning Tinubu Wike event was part of a broader push to reposition Nigeria's capital as a modern, globally competitive city, and the renovated landmark was presented as the most visible symbol of that ambition.

Tinubu's address, delivered through the First Lady, framed the City Gate renovation as more than an infrastructure project. It was presented as a statement about what Nigeria aspires to be.

"Our city gate is one of the major first impressions of this city. It welcomes visitors, reflects the character of our people and communicates the pride our nation takes in its capital," the President said.

He described the newly renovated structure, which now features a water fountain designed to represent all 36 states and the FCT, as something that could stand alongside iconic public landmarks in major world cities.

"This newly remodeled Abuja City Gate, with its beautiful water fountain representing the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, tells every visitor and Nigerians arriving from the airport that they have entered a city built on unity, diversity and shared aspirations," Tinubu said.

He also issued a direct appeal to Nigerians to protect the investment.

"I encourage you all to protect and preserve this landmark. Public infrastructure belongs to all of us, and its maintenance is a shared responsibility," he said.

His praise for Wike was unambiguous.

"When you share a vision with a man of action, you see results. Minister Wike, you have proven once again to be a true driver of the Renewed Hope Agenda. I say, well done."

The minister's remarks at the ceremony were characteristically direct and laced with the kind of detail that made the event feel less like a ribbon-cutting and more like a story being told in real time.

Wike said the idea originated with Tinubu himself, who had questioned why the City Gate had gone untouched by successive administrations and whether something could be done to make arriving in Abuja feel like arriving in a capital city worthy of the name.

"You called me and asked, has he not been travelling? Is this how other city gates look? Is there no way you can beautify this place so that anybody coming to Abuja will say, indeed, I am entering the capital city of a country?" Wike recounted the President saying.

He moved quickly after that conversation, pulling in the Federal Capital Development Authority and Julius Berger. He was also candid about the pressure he applied.

"I told Julius Berger that if I lose my job, they too would lose their job," he said, drawing laughter from the crowd.

He also noted that the engineering work beneath the visible surface was far more complex than anyone watching the finished product would realise.

"When I came here while they were working, I didn't understand what they were doing. They were digging everywhere. They told me to be patient. You have come here now and it looks simple, but it is not simple. If you know what they have put underground, you will marvel," he said.

On the weather: heavy rain from the night before and into the morning of the ceremony threatened to push the event. Wike refused.

"I said, whatever they do, we must commission this city gate today," he stated.