By: Rabi Umar Musa
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has announced plans by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to establish new bus terminals in Bwari and Gwagwalada Area Councils to improve transportation within the FCT.
Barrister Wike made the announcement in Abuja on Saturday, May 17, 2025, during an inspection tour of the ongoing extensive renovation of the International Conference Centre (ICC), as well as the upgrading of the Ushafa, War College, and Army Checkpoint roads in Bwari Area Council.
Speaking to journalists after the inspection, Barrister Wike stated that the planned bus terminals in the satellite towns would complement existing facilities in the city centre and significantly enhance commuting for residents. He emphasized the crucial role these terminals would play in tackling the menace of car robbery, popularly known as “one chance.”
“We have agreed to establish one bus terminal in Gwagwalada and one in Bwari,” the Minister said. “This will ensure that people can travel safely and securely from Bwari and Gwagwalada to various parts of the city, including Mabushi, Kugbo, and the Central Business District bus terminal. By providing designated terminals, we aim to eliminate the problem of ‘one chance’ and ensure the safety of commuters.”
Barrister Wike reaffirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to closing infrastructural gaps in the FCT, noting that the Renewed Hope Agenda extends beyond the city centre to include the development of satellite towns. He cited the ongoing 12-kilometer road project linking the entire Ushafa area and the dualization of the Kuje-Gwagwalada road as evidence of this commitment.
“The government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is particularly concerned about and focused on the satellite towns,” the Minister said, adding that rural transformation is a key pillar of the President’s agenda.
He further noted that the comprehensive upgrade of the International Conference Centre aligns with the President’s directive to provide Nigerians with world-class infrastructure.
The Minister emphasized the long-term benefits of these infrastructure developments, explaining that they would reduce travel times from satellite towns to the city, encourage more residents to remain in those towns, and ultimately help decongest the city centre.
He concluded that the goal of providing essential amenities in satellite towns is to reduce rural-to-urban migration, which is often driven by a lack of infrastructure in rural areas.
“It will be a different reality, and people will no longer be compelled to live in the cities,” the Minister said.
