By John Moses
Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to allocate land in satellite towns to genuine farmers in a bid to combat the country’s growing food insecurity.
Speaking on Monday during the inauguration of a newly constructed rural road linking the A2 Junction (Abuja–Lokoja Expressway) to Pai community in Kwali Area Council, Wike emphasised the government’s commitment to opening up rural areas for agricultural and economic activities.
“Look at the vast area of land, and we are talking about food insecurity,” said Wike. “We are ready to compensate communities and allocate farmland to those who are serious about farming.”
The minister warned that the land would be reserved strictly for “real farmers,” and not “political farmers” who merely hold land for speculative purposes. He said such individuals often wait to profit from development projects rather than cultivating crops.
The road commissioning was part of a series of 17 infrastructure projects delivered by the FCT Administration to mark President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office. During the ceremony, President Tinubu also highlighted the agricultural potential of Nigeria’s underutilised satellite towns.
“We saw opportunities, prosperity, and the need to support rural communities with infrastructure like ranches and grazing areas,” Tinubu said. “This administration is committed to transforming rural liabilities into economic assets.”
