ABUJA, Nigeria, Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike said Thursday that his efforts to stop what he described as wasteful government spending have made him unpopular among civil servants, arguing that funds previously used for foreign conferences and administrative trips are now being redirected to road construction and other infrastructure projects. Speaking at his monthly media briefing, Wike said he refused to approve large sums for overseas conferences, calling them avenues for diverting public funds and insisting that officials could study land administration practices within Nigeria at far lower cost.
Wike said that before he assumed office in August 2023, about 65 percent of the FCT budget went to recurrent expenditure, leaving limited resources for development. He said he reversed the ratio to allocate 70 percent to capital projects, a shift he believes has angered civil servants who previously benefited from foreign trips and related allowances. “One minister they won’t like is me,” he said, adding that money once spent on conferences is now being used to build roads intended to improve daily life for residents.
His comments come as Nigeria faces broader debates over public sector accountability and the need to reduce administrative costs that international financial institutions say hinder long‑term growth. Abuja, home to federal institutions and diplomatic missions, has struggled with deteriorating infrastructure and slow urban planning, prompting calls for more efficient use of public funds. Analysts say Wike’s reforms reflect a global trend in developing countries where governments are under pressure to prioritize capital investment over recurrent spending.
Reactions to Wike’s stance are likely to be mixed. Supporters may view the shift as necessary for modernizing the capital city, while critics may argue that civil servants need training opportunities and that abrupt policy changes can disrupt administrative processes. Wike has clashed with stakeholders over demolitions, land administration reforms and spending cuts, but maintains that redirecting funds toward infrastructure will deliver more tangible benefits to residents. As with all political reporting, readers should confirm details with trusted sources.
