President Bola Tinubu has approved the allocation of plots of land in Abuja to Nigeria’s ambassadors and high commissioners-designate, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, announced on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.
Wike made the disclosure during a courtesy visit by the envoys, led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, at his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja. The meeting formed part of an induction programme for the newly appointed diplomats.
According to the minister, the president’s directive is intended to give Nigeria’s overseas representatives a permanent foothold in the capital for when they return for periodic briefings and after their service abroad. “The President believes that most of you do not have a place in Abuja… he will encourage you to see how you will put up where you can stay. Before you leave this morning, each and every one of you should have your form to apply for a land allocation in Abuja,” Wike said.
He explained that the move is both a welfare gesture and a strategic effort to deepen diplomatic engagement between Nigeria’s foreign missions and the Federal Capital Territory. “Mr. President called me and said these ambassadors would be leaving Nigeria and he believes that from time to time, they will come to Abuja to brief him… so he directed that before you leave this morning, each and every one of you should have your form to fill for land allocation in Abuja so that when you come back, you don’t need to be staying in a hotel,” Wike added.
The minister charged the envoys to act as representatives of Nigeria’s image abroad and to reinforce the president’s economic diplomacy drive. “You are, in essence, the mirror of this country. The way the world sees you is the way it will see Nigeria,” he said. “Mr President has travelled extensively to attract investment and partnerships. It is now your role to reinforce that effort by building confidence in Nigeria as a viable destination for investment.”
Wike also urged the diplomats to attract investment into key sectors such as agriculture and waste management, pointing to untapped potential in areas like Gwagwalada and Kwali within the FCT. He disclosed that the FCT Administration is seeking strategic partnerships with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the European Commission to support development initiatives.
Permanent Secretary Dunoma Umar Ahmed said the visit was designed to expose the envoys to the strategic importance of the FCT in Nigeria’s foreign relations. “Our Ambassadors and High Commissioners have been entrusted with representing Nigeria at a pivotal moment in our nation’s development,” Ahmed said, adding that they were expected to promote economic diplomacy, attract investment, and project Nigeria positively on the global stage.
Wike also used the occasion to dismiss concerns about Nigeria drifting towards a one-party state. “Nigeria remains a multi-party democracy. There is no plan to turn the country into a one-party state. You must communicate this clearly wherever you serve,” he stated.
Reports indicate that about 70 ambassadors and high commissioners-designate are covered under the approval. While some of the appointees are known to already own houses in Abuja, officials said the directive did not exclude them from the allocation.
