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**MINISTER WIKE, AND AFRICA’S LARGEST SINGLE HOUSING ESTATE* *
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*BY BOLAJI AFOLABI*
Abuja, Nigeria’s federal capital city is home to Gwarimpa Estate; considered as the largest single housing estate in West Africa, and arguably in Africa. Situated in Phase 3, and sitting on about 1,090 hectares of land, the Estate, which has sprinkle of gated-estates, and open houses has the combination of many buildings with elegant architectural designs, motorable road networks, and other facilities.
Conceived and started by former Nigeria’s Head of state, late General Sani Abacha, it has various facilities including shopping malls, medical centers, resort and recreational centers, and schools. Over the years, the Estate has grown to a big community with residents from different and varied strata of the society. It is home to the bourgeois, nouveau riche, top-end politicians, government officials, professionals, and technocrats.
People in the upper-class, upper-middle class, bureaucracy, business, and more are resident there. With distance of about 45 km to the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Gwarimpa, which has 7 distinct areas; called Avenues originally planned as a residential community has, in recent times witnessed some distortions. The master plan has being slightly corrupted with the influx and establishment of commercial outlets, and other business enterprises in hitherto residential quarters. In spite this noticeable drawback, Gwarimpa is one of the most sought after districts by many people including Nigerians and foreigners.
For anyone who desires to embark on physical exercises as part of healthy living regimen, Gwarimpa is the perfect location. It’s beautiful landscape, road networks, and pleasing environment makes burning of excess fats welcoming. Little wonder, daily, residents pound the streets either walking or jogging. The writer, being a keep-fit buff is not left out. Buoyed by discipline, determination, dedication, and devotion, the one or two hours daily jogging has become permanent fixture in his daily ritual. Though captured by the allure of the Estate, many residents hit the streets when the sun sets, and makes visibility clearer. Perhaps, scared of being victims of any attacks, it is only common to see residents involving in physical exercises from 7 am. However, some early risers, like the writer shrug off any fear or negative thoughts, and engage in very early hours workout daily, before proceeding on their respective official and business engagement.
Few days back, the writer discovered something unusual, uncommon but comforting. Setting out for the day’s jogging exercise, the entire streets within my Estate were lighted. Surprised about this, the comments of one of the security officers at the Gate of the Estate jolted the writer. Asked about the lighting, Mr. Joshua declared, “Oga, na Wike oooo.” Within racy minutes, with excitement written on his face, he narrated how this will impact positively on the environment, security, and living. Outside the Gate, as the race continued, it was obvious that the entire landscape had changed. With proper visibility, the beautiful aesthetics of buildings, commercial outlets, and other business centers came alive.
In the past three days; and still counting, the installation, and powering of street lights across major areas and locations of Gwarimpa has added to the beauty and allure of the Estate. In many ways, people, especially early risers and commuters exhibit quantum felicity as they move from one end to the other. Traversing through 1st to 3rd, 4th, 2nd, and 5th Avenues, the street are glittering with lightings. Importantly, the writer discovered an increase in the number of people that have joined the “early-riser” jogging train. At every turn and point along Crush Cafe to Tastia, Fidelity Bank, St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Muslim Community Cemetery, and First Bank/Emadeb Energy/Total Station on 1st Avenue, it has been encouraging. Not forgetting junctions and intersections from Access Bank to the H-Medix/Quick Service Restaurants, GTB, and ECOBANK area on 3rd Avenue, as well as locations and streets along and around the 4th, 2nd, and 5th Avenues.
From reports, the street lightings in Gwarimpa Estate which were done by the Federal Capital Territory Administration under the leadership of Minister Nyesom Wike is in fulfillment of earlier promises to engender infrastructural development of the District. Indeed, this is laudable, and encouraging. Being a resident for some years, the writer can recall the level of fear, anxiety, worries, and despondency that pervaded the minds of people before now. With the turn of events, there are numerous positives that residents will benefit from the street electrification. There will be increase in commerce, trade, and economic activities. Just yesterday, while jogging along 2nd Avenue, a vulcaniser had already opened shop for the day. Same with few pharmacy, and supermarkets on 3rd Avenue. The number of food vendors already out around the Crush Cafe axis of 1st Avenue was surprising. The street electrification will boost security of lives and properties; improve access to health, and other services; and increase the value of properties.
While working on this article, the writer was informed that the Wike “street lighting magic” has been extended to Life Camp, Kado, and Jahi Districts; neighbors to Gwarimpa Estate. Fact is, the street electrification of these Districts are long over due. Somehow, attempts were made by past administrations. But very feeble, shoddy, and tenuous. For whatever it is, the timely completion of the installation of street electrification in these Districts epitomises vision, values, and commitment to good governance. The comments of a business outlet owner along 3rd Avenue, Mr. Peter Ogbu that, “like some others, initially I didn’t like Wike but considering what he has achieved in one year, he is now my favourite in this government,” is apposite. Alhaji Garba Ibrahim Fegge, a civil servant declared that, “the street lightings, and potable water supply schemes in Gwarimpa has shown that Wike knows the needs of people.” For Ms. Comfort Adegbuyi, a medical personnel, “we now open till late in the night at the Pharmacy I work…this is something you dare not attempt before now because of security challenges.”
The political odyssey and governance trajectory of Nyesom Wike has been classic case study of sorts. Depending on who or what is being addressed about him, he remains a prominent, and primary personality in Nigeria’s political discourse and governance discussions. Some people angrily dislike and describe him as being arrogant, loquacious, and power-driven. Many others recognize and appreciate his personality traits and leadership attributes which; they claim revolves around productivity, performance, doggedness, courage, and empathy. However, what ever divide, majority of Nigerians, particularly Abuja residents and visitors unanimously agree that he is a shining light in this administration. Little wonder, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu eulogized him at the first presidential media chat, which held recently.
**Bolaji Afolabi, a Development Communications specialist, was with the Office of Public Affairs, The Presidency, Abuja*
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, addressing residents at Kado Fish Market,during his inspection of Deidei to Life Camp Road today.
Watch:
The African Democratic Congress, ADC, in Zamfara State has thrown its weight behind former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 presidential election, declaring him the party’s preferred candidate for the race.
Party stakeholders also warned that they would “sue” the Waziri Adamawa if he eventually decides not to contest the election.
The endorsement was made during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Saturday at the International Conference Hall in the Government Reserved Area, Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
The gathering had in attendance members of the State Executive Committee, National Executive Committee representatives from the state, as well as the party’s governorship, National Assembly and House of Assembly candidates.
In a communique released after the meeting, the party leaders said the decision followed wide consultations and discussions on the country’s current political and economic situation.
According to them, Nigeria needs an experienced leader with a national outlook who can restore stability, improve security and revive public confidence in governance.
The stakeholders described Atiku as a seasoned democrat with years of political experience and commitment to democratic governance and economic reforms.
They noted that his leadership experience places him in a strong position to lead the country at a difficult period.
The meeting also witnessed strong support from party members, many of whom insisted that the former vice president must not withdraw from the race.
“We will sue the Wazirin Adamawa if he refuses to contest,” some members reportedly declared during the session.
Party leaders further stated that Nigerians were becoming more interested in transparent leadership and credible electoral processes ahead of the next general election.
Speaking at the meeting, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi, popularly known as Doctor, a former APC Zamfara Central Coordinator for the 2023 presidential election, said the political events that shaped the outcome of the last election in the state would not repeat themselves in 2027.
He expressed confidence that voters would be allowed to freely decide their choice in the next election cycle.
The ADC in Zamfara also pledged full support for Atiku’s possible presidential ambition and promised to begin aggressive grassroots mobilisation across the state.
Nigeria has retained its position as the third-largest borrower from the International Development Association (IDA), the concessional lending arm of the World Bank, despite a slight decline in its debt exposure in the first quarter of 2026.
According to the IDA’s March 2026 financial statements, Nigeria’s exposure stood at $18.5 billion as of March 31, 2026, down marginally from $18.7 billion recorded at the end of December 2025.
The $200 million decline represents a 1.1 per cent reduction over the three-month period. However, on a year-on-year basis, Nigeria’s debt exposure increased significantly by $1.2 billion, or 6.9 per cent, from $17.3 billion recorded in March 2025.
The latest ranking places Nigeria behind Bangladesh and Pakistan among the World Bank’s largest IDA borrowers.
Data from the report showed that Bangladesh remained the largest borrower with an exposure of $22.7 billion, followed by Pakistan with $19.2 billion, while Nigeria ranked third with $18.5 billion.
Other major African borrowers include Ethiopia with $14.4 billion, Tanzania with $14.3 billion, and Kenya with $13.2 billion in outstanding exposure.
The report also revealed that the IDA’s total loans outstanding stood at $230.8 billion as of March 31, 2026, slightly below the $231.1 billion recorded at the end of December 2025, reflecting a mild moderation in the institution’s lending portfolio.
According to the IDA, loans classified under non-accrual status represented only 0.4 per cent of the total portfolio, while provisions for potential loan losses amounted to $6.3 billion, equivalent to about 2.0 per cent of underlying exposures.
Nigeria’s exposure accounted for roughly eight per cent of the IDA’s total loan portfolio and approximately 13.3 per cent of the combined exposure represented by the institution’s ten largest borrowing countries.
The IDA noted that its ten largest country exposures collectively accounted for about 60 per cent of total portfolio exposure as of March 2026, highlighting the concentration of concessional lending among a relatively small number of developing economies.
Despite the slight quarter-on-quarter decline, Nigeria’s debt profile with the World Bank continues to trend upward over the longer term.
The report showed that Nigeria’s exposure rose from $17.3 billion in March 2025 to $18.5 billion in March 2026, underscoring the country’s increasing reliance on concessional financing to support development priorities and economic reforms.
Similarly, Ethiopia’s exposure increased from $13.2 billion to $14.4 billion over the same period, while Tanzania’s exposure rose from $12.6 billion to $14.3 billion.
Bangladesh’s debt exposure climbed from $21.2 billion to $22.7 billion, while Pakistan’s increased from $18.3 billion to $19.2 billion. Ghana also recorded an increase from $7.1 billion to $7.4 billion.
Nigeria’s position among the top borrowers reflects the scale of its infrastructure, social investment, and reform financing needs under the World Bank’s concessional lending framework.
The Federal Government is also currently engaging the World Bank for additional financing support.
Recall that Nigeria is seeking a fresh $1.25 billion World Bank facility aimed at expanding access to finance, improving digital services, strengthening electricity supply, and supporting reforms in tax administration, agriculture, and trade.
If approved, the proposed facility would raise total World Bank loan approvals secured under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to about $10.6 billion in June 2023.
The proposed loan would also rank among the largest World Bank facilities approved for Nigeria in recent years, following the $1.5 billion Reforms for Economic Stabilisation to Enable Transformation Development Policy Financing approved in June 2024.
Experts had cautioned Nigeria against the rising multilateral loans especially amidst rising debt with Nigeria’s debt profile rising to N159 trillion as of 2025.
A finance expert and senior partner at SPM professionals, Dr. Paul Alaje recently noted that the current debt stock of the country is directly owned by Nigerians and will be paid by even citizens not yet born.
“So here is the point, as the volume increases, Nigeria has to pay more, mind you the debt they gave to us is not this year, but as of December 31 2025.
So by the time we look at the one that we have retired and the new loans that have been approved and some that have been collected this year, it is clear that by the time the DMO is reporting that in the first quarter 2026, we would have crossed $160 billion. So it’s more of a burden on the economy. Whether we have the capacity to pay or not is a different kettle of fish,” he added.
Daily Trust
“You do for me, I do for you,” no be so, FCT minister Wike tells Kado residents (Video)
2027: ADC threatens to drag to court Atikui if he withdraws from presidential race
Nigeria remains World Bank’s third-largest borrower with $18.5bn
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