In the annals of nations, there are projects that do not merely aspire to shape skylines but seek to redefine the destiny of a people. Nigeria’s Centenary City is one such undertaking, a vision as bold as it is transformative.
Conceived in 2014 to commemorate a century of nationhood, it was envisaged as a “city of the future,” a smart, green, cosmopolitan hub to rival Dubai, Monaco, and Singapore. For a decade, its promise lingered in the air, radiant yet unrealised, like a grand symphony awaiting its conductor. Today, under the renewed impetus provided by the Federal Government and the resolute intervention of the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, the symphony has begun to play again.
As bulldozers move across the virgin expanse south-west of Abuja, as plans unfold with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc providing critical infrastructure and Dar Al-Handasah Consultants (DAR) refining engineering designs, the long-dormant Centenary City Project is not only airborne, but gathering altitude. Its promise is immense: the creation of over 300,000 jobs, an influx of foreign direct investment worth billions of dollars, and a rebranding of Abuja – and by extension Nigeria – as a global beacon of urban excellence.
The genesis
The Centenary City was born as a legacy project of the Goodluck Jonathan administration in 2014, designed to mark Nigeria’s centenary as a nation-state. Beyond symbolism, however, it represented a clear-eyed economic and cultural ambition: to create a self-contained smart city that would not only serve as a monument to Nigeria’s journey but also as a springboard for its future.
Patterned after global exemplars such as Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Songdo in South Korea, and Shenzhen in China, the project was envisioned as a multi-functional development, seamlessly blending business, tourism, culture, and modern living. Spread across 1,260 hectares near Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the city was conceived as a mixed-use metropolis with a central business district, an international commerce centre, luxury residences, iconic landmarks, and vibrant cultural amenities.
Yet, like many grand ideas in developing economies, its progress was slowed by controversies, bureaucratic gridlocks, and shifting priorities. Investors grew impatient, and a decade-long lull followed, during which Nigeria arguably lost valuable opportunities. But the dream never died.
The Wike factor: Unlocking a stalled dream
Enter Nyesom Wike, the current FCT minister, whose political will and pragmatic interventions have breathed new life into the project. His tenure has been marked by the decisiveness often lacking in Nigeria’s governance. With the Centenary City Project, Wike played the role of mediator, reconciler, and enforcer, ensuring that long-standing disputes between Centenary City Plc (CCPLC), the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), and the FCT Administration were resolved once and for all.
In a manner reminiscent of a statesman locking adversaries in a room until peace was brokered, Wike brought contending interests to a shared table and compelled them to subordinate parochial concerns to the overarching vision of national development. In doing so, he demonstrated what leadership means: the capacity to elevate the collective good above factional squabbles.
Today, the once-moribund project is firmly back on track. Julius Berger Nigeria Plc – synonymous with engineering excellence – has been engaged to deliver the Phase 1 Primary Infrastructure at a cost of ₦750 billion. DAR, the original master planners, has returned to ensure fidelity to the city’s ambitious vision. What was once a subject of skepticism has now become a tangible reality undergirded by contracts, earthworks, and renewed investor confidence.
A future metropolis
At its core, Centenary City is not just a development; it is an ecosystem. It is designed to be Nigeria’s foremost smart city, a self-sustaining, multifunctional hub that harmonises with nature while offering its residents and visitors a complete cosmopolitan lifestyle.
Iconic Commercial and Cultural Landmarks: A towering International Commerce Centre, a Centenary International Convention Center, and the Mall of Africa promise to make Abuja a premier business and shopping destination in West Africa.
Luxury and Leisure: Five-star hotels, luxury serviced apartments, golf and polo estates, and safari parks will attract both global elites and middle-class aspirants.
Tourism and Arts: The Nigerian Park, African Arts Museum, and entertainment districts will celebrate heritage while providing cutting-edge experiences.
Health and Education: Modern hospitals, schools, and research facilities will anchor the city’s human capital development.
Industrial and Economic Powerhouse: With Free Trade Zone (FTZ) status approved by the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA), the city is set to host industrial parks that will drive manufacturing, exports, and foreign investment.
Economic promise: A catalyst for growth
A few projects in Nigeria’s recent history carry the economic promise of the Centenary City. The numbers speak for themselves:
300,000 Direct Jobs: At a time of high unemployment, this project alone could transform the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of families. Indirect jobs – in supply chains, services, and tourism – will multiply this effect exponentially.
Over $18 Billion in FDI Potential: Earlier investors once saw the Centenary City as the single largest foreign direct investment opportunity in Nigeria’s history. With the return of confidence, the city is poised once again to attract massive capital inflows.
$1.6 Billion in Initial Construction Value: With inflation and global cost escalations, the entire project now exceeds ₦2.4 trillion, representing a monumental injection into Nigeria’s economy.
Tourism and Real Estate Boom: By positioning Abuja as a tourism and investment hub, the project will diversify Nigeria’s economy away from oil and align it with global trends.
Global Branding: Just as Dubai leveraged iconic developments to transform its identity, Abuja too stands to gain a redefined global profile through Centenary City.
This is not mere construction; it is economic diplomacy by other means. A thriving Centenary City will project Nigeria as a serious contender in the African and global economic order.
From administrative capital to global city
Since its creation, Abuja has been described as a planned city, but often it has been viewed primarily as an administrative enclave. The Centenary City changes that narrative dramatically. By introducing upscale residential, commercial, and cultural elements, it fills a gap in Abuja’s evolution, providing the amenities and aesthetics befitting a world-class capital.
More importantly, it enhances Nigeria’s standing within Africa. Where Johannesburg boasts Sandton, Nairobi dreams of Konza Techno City, and Kigali positions itself as a conference hub, Abuja will now have Centenary City as its unique global signature. This is a project that shifts Abuja from being simply the seat of power to becoming a symbol of modern Africa’s aspirations.
Overcoming past shadows
It is no secret that Centenary City has had its share of controversies, from disputes over compensation to political intrigues and bureaucratic inertia. Yet, what distinguishes the present moment is that those shadows are receding. Compensation to affected communities has been paid, resettlement schemes are underway, and new homes are being built for displaced inhabitants. The project has turned a page, embracing transparency, inclusivity, and cooperation.
The management of Centenary City Plc has been deliberate in addressing past grievances. With biometric captures of affected persons, cash settlements, and relocation plans, the project is setting a new benchmark in socially responsible urban development. This is critical, for no city of the future can be built on injustice.
Commending leadership, inspiring continuity
The renewed momentum behind Centenary City would not have been possible without the synergy of leadership at multiple levels. The visionary encouragement of the Minister of Housing and Urban Development, Arch. Ahmed Musa Dangiwa, has been invaluable. The steadfast determination of the management team at Centenary City Plc, led by Dr. Odenigwe Ike Michaels Jnr., deserves recognition. And above all, the resolute interventions of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike must be commended as the pivotal force that turned stalemate into progress.
But beyond commendation lies a call to action. Centenary City is not yet complete; it is a 15-year project whose success depends on sustained commitment, continuous investment, and political will. Nigerians must therefore rally around this vision, guarding it jealously against the familiar enemies of inconsistency, short-termism, and bureaucratic sabotage.
A call to national resolve
If Centenary City succeeds, it will not simply be an architectural marvel; it will be a metaphor for Nigeria’s capacity to dream big, endure setbacks, and still triumph. It will show that Nigeria can deliver world-class projects driven by private capital, anchored by visionary leadership, and beneficial to the citizenry.
This is why every stakeholder – from government to investors, from civil society to ordinary citizens – must support the project until completion. The controversies of the past should remain buried. The momentum of the present must be sustained. The promise of the future must be realised.
For in Centenary City lies more than bricks and mortar; there lies a testament to Nigeria’s place in the 21st century. It is a declaration that Africa’s most populous nation will not merely watch as others build shining cities, but will join them – proudly, boldly, and enduringly.
Let us, therefore, commend the present government for reigniting this vision, particularly Minister Nyesom Wike whose intervention has been decisive. Let us also urge continuity – across administrations, across political divides – until the city stands complete; for Nigeria deserves nothing less than a capital city that reflects its stature, its resilience, and its boundless aspirations.
Centenary City is more than a project. It is Nigeria’s promise to itself, and to the world.
…Nwokocha, a public affairs analyst, writes from Karmo, Abuja