The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has announced a significant investment of $1,045,176,470 (approximately N177 billion) into education infrastructure across the FCT. This commitment includes a counterpart funding of N3.5 billion from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), underscoring the administration’s dedication to transforming the education sector.

Speaking at the Sixth International Conference on Learning Cities in Jubail Industrial City, Saudi Arabia, Wike, represented by the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, highlighted that Abuja’s annual budget allocation for education has exceeded UNESCO’s recommended 26% benchmark.

Wike detailed the accomplishments achieved through these investments, noting the renovation of 21 primary and junior secondary schools and the establishment of 30 senior secondary schools. He further revealed that N14.5 billion has been allocated for the completion and launch of the FCT University in Abaji, enhancing the region’s higher education capacity.

According to Wike, “UNESCO recommends that nations allocate at least 26% of their budget to education to address critical needs such as teacher training, infrastructure, and educational technology. Abuja’s budget surpasses this benchmark, demonstrating our unwavering commitment to educational development.”

He also emphasized the administration’s focus on training and retraining educators, ensuring that the FCT adheres to the “whole school” approach promoted by UNESCO. This system fosters peace, security, and tolerance through global awareness and lifelong learning.

The International Conference on Learning Cities (ICLC 6), which centers on promoting climate action through lifelong learning, brought together policymakers, educators, and stakeholders from UNESCO learning cities worldwide. The event underscored the importance of education in addressing global challenges like climate change.

Key Highlights of FCT’s Education Investmentincluded
$1.05 billion (N177 billion) committed to education infrastructure, Renovation of 21 primary and junior secondary schools, Establishment of 30 senior secondary schools, N14.5 billion allocated for the completion of FCT University, Abaji

Austine Elemue, Special Adviser on Media to the FCT Minister of State, quoted the minister to have reiterated the administration’s commitment to educational excellence, noting that Abuja remains a model learning city under UNESCO’s framework.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and China’s Hunan Province have committed to strengthening cooperation in urban development, education, tourism, and environmental management as part of efforts to elevate China-Nigeria relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, made this known while receiving a delegation from Hunan Province on behalf of the FCTA.
Special Adviser on Media to the Minister, Austine Elemue in a statement quoted her to have described the collaboration as the type that would foster innovation, effective problem-solving, and mutual growth.

“This partnership will allow us to pool resources and expertise together, creat opportunities for innovation and enhanced capabilities that would be difficult to achieve individually,” Mahmoud stated.
She also expressed appreciation for the warm reception given to FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike during his recent visit to China saying she is optimistic about the outcomes of the collaboration.

Dr. Mahmoud highlighted the significant infrastructural improvements in the FCT under the current administration, noting that there are multiple areas for potential collaboration to further enhance the city’s development.

According to her; “This can lead to greater innovation, more effective problem-solving, and enhanced capabilities that would be difficult to achieve alone.

“In other words, partnerships foster mutual benefit, strengthen individual and collective efforts, and promote growth and resilience”.

While appreciating the delegation for the warm reception extended to FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, and his delegation during his recent visit to China, she expressed confidence that there would be a better outcome.

Mahmoud further said; “I also want to appreciate the dedication from China as a follow up visit. You have followed us since FCT delegation left China and it is left to us to look at more possible areas of collaboration.

“As you have noted the changes in the infrastructural development of FCT, people that were here before this administration, they know how FCT was and how FCT is looking now. So there are several areas we can collaborate”.

Earlier, vice chairman of the Hunan Provincial Political Consultative Conference and leader of the delegation, Lai Mingyong, noted that Abuja as the capital and political-cultural centre of Nigeria is an international city filled with modern atmosphere.

“This young city is renowned for its unique urban planning, beautiful architectural style, and well-developed infrastructure. It has grown into a modern metropolis with great achievements in terms of infrastructure”.

Mingyong, used the occasion to invite the FCT Administration to the China-Africa Economy and Trade Expo initiated by the President, Mr. Xi Jinping, hoping that new chapters would be developed during the Expo.

It would be recall that on September 3, 2024, President Xi Jinping met with Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was in China for the Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and a state visit at the Great Hall of the people of Beijing.

The leaders of the two nations had announced the elevation of China-Nigeria relation to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

***AS HallowMace Foundation Hosts 6th Annual Legislative Conference on Energy Security, Sustainability 

The Director General of the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS), Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, has called for legislative action in Nigeria’s quest for a sustainable energy future to address safety and accessibility concerns surrounding the CNG policy.
Prof Sulaiman spoke on Wednesday when he delivered a key note address at a conference focused on the theme, “Legislative Pathways to a Sustainable Future: Enhancing Energy Security, Reducing Transportation Costs, and Lowering Carbon Emissions through the CNG Policy” at the event organized by the HallowMace Foundation in Abuja.
He also called for stronger legislative measures to support Nigeria’s energy transition. 
Prof. Sulaiman emphasized the importance of enhancing energy security, reducing transportation costs, and lowering carbon emissions through the implementation of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) policy.
He highlighted the adverse effects of Nigeria’s recent fuel subsidy removal, which has led to higher transportation and energy costs. 
Prof Sulaiman however was full of praises for the introduction of the CNG policy by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a viable solution but reiterated the need for legislative backing to ensure its success. 
“The policy must be anchored in legislation to ensure consistency and effective oversight,” he said.
He outlined three key legislative pathways to include strengthening oversight to ensure public and private sector alignment with sustainable energy goals.
The second pathway according to him, is to anact new laws or amend existing ones to promote clean energy investment.

The third option he said is by increasing public awareness of sustainable energy options through constituency engagement.
Prof. Sulaiman cited Rwanda’s success in expanding electricity access through regulatory reforms as an example for Nigeria to follow. 

He also urged lawmakers to prioritize budget allocations for renewable energy projects and incentivize private-sector investment to enhance the nation’s energy infrastructure.

In his welcome address, the convener, Amb. Anderson Osiebe, and founder of the HallowMace Foundation Africa(HAFA) highlighted the urgency of rethinking energy, transportation, and environmental policies in Nigeria. 

He underscored the foundation’s dual mandate of strengthening legislative institutions and fostering democratic consolidation through targeted advocacy, workshops, and strategic dialogue.
Osiebe lauded the collaborative efforts of HAFA’s partners, including NILDS and the National Orientation Agency, in fostering legislative discourse.
He emphasized the potential of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to reduce transportation costs, enhance energy security, and lower carbon emissions, calling for sustained legislative efforts to integrate these policies into national development frameworks.
Among the dignitaries present were Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, and Prof. Abubakar O. Sulaiman, Director General of NILDS. 
Osiebe urged participants to engage actively, emphasizing the importance of collaboration in addressing Nigeria’s energy and environmental challenges.
The conference concluded with a call for legislative action to ensure energy sustainability, reduce economic burdens on citizens, and position Nigeria for a greener, more equitable future.