Wike Strengthens FCTA Team with New Appointment
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has appointed a seasoned urban planner, Mukhtar Usman Galadima, as the Senior Special Assistant on Development Control and Planning, marking another strategic move in his ongoing reforms within the FCT Administration.
The appointment was confirmed in a statement issued by Wike’s Special Assistant on Communication, Lere Olayinka, on Wednesday.
Who Is Mukhtar Galadima?
Galadima is a respected professional within Abuja’s urban development space, boasting over 30 years of experience in town planning, development regulation, and land administration.
Before his retirement earlier in 2025, he served as the Director of the Department of Development Control, a role he held from 2016 to 2025. His extensive career also includes notable contributions to the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council and the Satellite Towns Development Agency.
Wike’s Focus on Restoring the Abuja Masterplan
Under Wike’s leadership, development control has become a central pillar of the FCT’s policy direction. The minister has repeatedly emphasized the need to restore and protect the Abuja masterplan, especially in the face of increasing illegal structures, land-use violations, and unapproved developments across the capital city.
Galadima’s appointment aligns with this agenda. His previous involvement in ministerial committees on land title reviews, change-of-use assessments, and revocations of illegal allocations positions him as a strong ally in Wike’s push for stricter planning enforcement.
Why This Appointment Matters
With issues of land encroachment, irregular developments, and uncoordinated buildings resurfacing across the FCT, Wike’s decision to bring back an experienced planner suggests a renewed commitment to:
- Strengthening development control units
- Enforcing planning regulations more effectively
- Addressing land disputes and illegal constructions
- Enhancing oversight of ongoing and future urban projects
Residents, developers, and stakeholders within Abuja’s real estate ecosystem may expect more rigorous compliance checks as Wike intensifies efforts to ensure orderly development.
A Boost for Abuja’s Urban Governance
Galadima’s re-entry—this time as a senior special adviser—signals continuity, expertise, and stability in the FCTA’s planning system. The appointment is widely seen as part of Wike’s broader reforms aimed at improving urban governance and ensuring that Abuja remains a well-structured, law-governed modern capital.
As the FCT continues to expand, the minister’s emphasis on professional planning oversight highlights the critical role of development control in shaping the city’s future.
Read also FCT Development Control Boss, Galadima, Bows Out After 30 Years of Service
