FCT Development Control Boss, Galadima, Bows Out After 30 Years of Service

After 30 Years, Galadima Takes a Bow
Director of the FCT Department of Development Control, Mukhtar Galadima, has officially bowed out of service after a remarkable 30-year career that shaped the physical development of Nigeria’s capital city.

Galadima, who joined the FCT Administration in December 1992 as a young Higher Technical Officer, said he never imagined rising to the top as Director. His journey, he noted, was guided by dedication, discipline, and a deep commitment to the Abuja Master Plan.

A Career Rooted in Public Service
Reflecting on his service years, Galadima said he is leaving with gratitude and fulfillment.

According to him, enforcing development standards in Abuja required firmness and consistency, especially in the area of removal of illegal structures — a task his department is widely known for.
He emphasized that every decision he took was driven by the need to preserve the integrity of the Abuja Master Plan, which remains the blueprint for the city’s growth and orderliness.

Legacy of Discipline and Urban Development
Under his leadership, the Department of Development Control intensified actions against:

Illegal buildings
Distorted land use
Unapproved construction
Encroachment on green areas
These efforts, though sometimes controversial, were aimed at maintaining Abuja’s planned structure as a modern capital city.

What His Exit Means for Abuja
Galadima’s exit marks the end of an era for one of the FCTA’s toughest regulatory departments. As the Administration prepares to appoint a successor, residents and stakeholders are watching closely to see how the next leadership will steer the ongoing battle against unapproved developments.