In a bold move to decentralize economic development and rebrand Nigeria’s capital beyond its political identity, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has unveiled a sweeping initiative to transform its six area councils into dynamic tourism and investment destinations.
At the heart of this transformation is the FCT Area Councils’ Tourism and Hospitality Investment Carnival and Expo, launched at the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture.
The event, the first of its kind, signals a strategic pivot by the FCTA to unlock the untapped cultural, ecological, and commercial assets lying dormant in its local communities.
Speaking on behalf of the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, Permanent Secretary of the Social Development Secretariat, Bunmi Olowookere, emphasized that the initiative is more than just a showcase — it’s a catalyst for long-term economic diversification and social inclusion.
Special adviser to the minister on media, Austine Elemue in a statement quoted her to have indicated,
“We are leveraging indigenous culture, innovation, and local enterprise to not only spark economic revitalization but to make the FCT a benchmark for sustainable, community-driven tourism in Africa,” she said.
The effort aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes local economic empowerment and infrastructure expansion. 
Under the direction of Minister Nyesom Wike, the FCTA has received a mandate to elevate the Territory’s culture and hospitality profile to compete on the global tourism stage.
What sets this initiative apart is its grassroots-first approach. Rather than focusing solely on urban centers like Abuja city, the FCTA is turning the spotlight on the area councils — Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali, and AMAC — where rich traditions, landscapes, and untapped business potential abound.
“The area councils hold the key to the future of FCT tourism,” Mahmoud noted. “They are the real story — the authentic Nigeria the world is ready to experience.”
Mandate Secretary of the Social Development Secretariat, Hon. Aminu Ibrahim, added that tourism is not just a cultural venture but a strategic economic lever. Represented by Dr. Nasiru Shidali, Ibrahim called Abuja a city “ripe with opportunity,” pointing to tourism and hospitality as one of the largest untapped employers of labour and contributors to GDP worldwide.
“This expo is our proof of concept — a signal to investors and stakeholders that Abuja is open for business, and its soul lives in the area councils,” Ibrahim said.
The FCTA also pledged continued support for initiatives that bring together public, private, and community stakeholders to build an inclusive tourism ecosystem — one that creates jobs, drives infrastructure development, and celebrates the Territory’s unique heritage.
As Nigeria moves to diversify its economy and deepen local content in development, the FCT’s pivot toward cultural and eco-tourism may prove to be a defining model — not just for the capital, but for the country at large.
