List Of All Ministers Of The Federal Capital Territory Nigeria (1975-Present)
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria was set up in 1976. It was created from parts of the old Nasarawa, Niger, and Kogi States. The idea came from the military government led by General Murtala Mohammed.
They wanted to move the capital from Lagos to a more central place in the country. This change was meant to bring the people together and help the country grow. However, the FCT is managed by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
READ ALSO: List Of All Ministers Of State Housing And Urban Development In Nigeria (2023-Present)
List Of Ministers Of The Federal Capital Territory Nigeria (1975-Present)
| Minister | Term of Office | Political Party |
|---|---|---|
| Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun | August 1975 - 1979 | - |
| John Jatau Kadiya | December 1979 - February 1982 | NPN |
| Abubakar Iro Danmusa | February 1982 - October 1983 | NPN |
| Haliru Dantoro | October 1983 - December 1983 | - |
READ ALSO: List Of All Ministers Of Education In Nigeria (1958-Present)
Who Was The First Minister Of The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) In Nigeria?
The first Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Nigeria was Chief Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun, who served from 1976 to 1979.
His appointment came shortly after the creation of the FCT. The FCT was established to become the new capital of Nigeria, taking over from Lagos. However, the military regime of General Murtala Mohammed decided to move the capital.
This move aimed to promote national unity and development by relocating the seat of government to a more central location in the country.
Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun was an accomplished professional in the oil and gas sector before his political career. He worked with Shell Petroleum Development Company.
Mobolaji was an Integral part of creating the original master plan for Abuja, which laid the foundation for its development into a modern city.
Ajose-Adeogun’s time as the first FCT minister was seen by many challenges and opportunities. He was responsible for overseeing the establishment of the administrative framework for the new capital.
This included developing essential services, infrastructure, and housing to accommodate people moving to Abuja. Ajose-Adeogun’s contributions to the development of the FCT have had a lasting impact on the city and its governance.
After he served as FCT minister, he continued to influence the sector through different roles, including serving as the Federal Commissioner for Cooperatives and Supply and later as the Commissioner for Special Duties at the Federal Capital Development Authority. However, Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun passed away on July 1, 2023, at the age of 96.
READ ALSO: List Of All Ministers Of State For Environment In Nigeria
Current Minister Of The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) In Nigeria
The current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria is Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, having took office on August 21, 2023, after being inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike is the 17th person to hold this position since the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) was established in 2004.
This administration replaced the earlier Ministry of the Federal Capital Territory. Nyesom Wike is a popular Nigerian politician and lawyer. He was the Governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023.
During his time as governor, Wike focused on building infrastructure and improving public welfare. And, as the Minister of the FCT, he has promised to address important issues such as security, sanitation, and urban development.
His goal is to help Abuja become a world-class capital city. When Wike took office, he stressed the need to tackle the challenges facing the FCT immediately. One of his main concerns is security.
He wants to make sure that residents and visitors in Abuja feel safe, especially with the growing concerns about crime and insecurity. Another important issue for Wike is sanitation.
He plans to improve waste management and sanitation services to create a cleaner and healthier environment for everyone.
Street lighting is also a priority for Wike as he wants to increase street lighting to make the city safer and more accessible, especially at night.
Additionally, Wike aims to boost the FCT’s revenue to help fund essential services and infrastructure projects. Wike has also shown a strong interest in improving public transportation in the FCT.
He has proposed reviving mass transit systems and the Abuja Light Rail to make it easier for residents to move around the city.
