The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), is poised to team up with Finland on smart-city technology and clean energy as it grapples with rapid urban growth.
Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike signaled the administration’s interest Tuesday during a meeting with Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria Sanna Selin.
Minister Wike, identified infrastructure and agriculture as prime areas for collaboration, welcoming Helsinki’s know-how in green tech and digital services.
“As a city, we are willing to cooperate with sister cities of other countries to see how we can partner in terms of infrastructure and agriculture,” Wike said.
“You have already said here that you are willing to give support in infrastructure, such as smart city technology and clean energy. We will be willing to partner with you in these areas to optimize our relationship for the mutual benefit of both countries.”
NewsQuest reports that the overture comes as Abuja booms, with construction surging amid improved security—a point Minister Wike describe to assuage diplomatic concerns.
“We owe you a duty to provide an enabling environment here in terms of security,” he told Ms. Selin.
“You can agree with me that Abuja is growing every day and the security has very much improved. There is so much construction going on that you can identify.”
Minister Wike also pitched exchanges to study Finland’s urban models and flagged waste management as a priority.
“It will be good if we can have a discussion on waste management with any firm that has the right capacity to manage our waste,” he said.
“That’s very, very key for us.”
Ms. Selin praised the FCT’s infrastructure drive and safety record, positioning Finland to share expertise in planning, renewables, and sustainable building.
“Finland recognizes the FCTA’s ongoing infrastructure investment and is ready to offer its expertise in many fields—for example, in planning, clean energy solutions, and sustainable constructions to bring about rapid urban development in Abuja,” she said.
The talks align with the countrys broader drive to modernize the nation’s capital, Abuja potentially unlocking Finnish investment in a market hungry for efficient urban solutions.
