Abuja’s Centenary City project breaks ground with N750bn infrastructure deal — Report

By Kunle Sanni –

The long-delayed Abuja Centenary City project is finally set to take off, with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc awarded a N750 billion contract to deliver its first phase of infrastructure.

At a press briefing on Tuesday in Abuja, Ike Odenigwe, managing director of Centenary City Plc, said the contract will cover a 4.3-kilometre access road and secondary infrastructure for three residential districts — Grove Residences, Safari Park Residences, and Ridge Villas. The works will be executed in lots, with Dar Al-Handasah Consultants, designers of the original master plan, providing detailed engineering designs.

Conceived in 2014 under former President Goodluck Jonathan to commemorate Nigeria’s centenary, the mega urban development has faced years of legal disputes, revoked land titles, and administrative delays. Odenigwe described the renewed effort as Abuja’s most ambitious urban renewal drive, designed to attract global investment and create a multifunctional lifestyle hub.

He disclosed that the city will feature the tallest building in sub-Saharan Africa, a 150-hectare entertainment park tailored to Nollywood filmmakers, and 13 branded international hotels. “We are going to change the landscape of Abuja,” Odenigwe said. “This is a destination. Abuja has nothing concrete to show for tourism at the moment, so Centenary City will complement what we have and compete globally.”

The managing director praised the support of Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for championing the renewed push for infrastructure development and economic diversification. He noted that the federal government holds five percent equity in the project through Abuja Investments Company Ltd (AICL) and occupies a seat on its board.

Odenigwe stressed that Centenary City is being executed as a public-private partnership (PPP), with land donated by the government. He added that the company has maintained cordial relations with surrounding communities, providing boreholes, scholarships, and a resettlement scheme in Gude district.

So far, 280 houses have been built for original inhabitants, with a target of 857 units. He assured that the company would continue to prioritise host communities as development progresses.

According to a report by TheCable newspaper, the project is expected to generate 50,000 jobs during construction and up to 250,000 jobs when fully operational.