• Super Admin
• 06 Mar, 2026

At last, what looked like an abandoned project is being rejuvenated. This is the Jabi Lake and its associated business hubs envisaged to drive tourism in the city. SUNNY IDACHABA writes on the territory administration's efforts so far. All over the world, the tourism sub-sector is one area that fetches huge foreign exchange to governments because of the investor-attraction it brings to bear on the economy. It is widely recognised as one of the fastest-growing sectors globally, contributing significantly to economic diversification, cultural preservation and international visibility of destinations, according to the United Nations World Trade Organization (UNWTO) in 2023. As a result of tourism in particular, urban centres have emerged as hotspots for cultural and leisure due to the concentration of infrastructure and cultural assets in those cities. The missing link/re-awakening Abuja, for instance, holds a unique potential as a tourism hub given its blend of modern infrastructure, political prominence, and rich cultural diversity inherited from its multi-ethnic population. This is because the territory is home to cultural landmarks, religious architecture, natural attractions and cultural festivals. In spite of these advantages, there existed a tourism vacuum, the reason for the city remains underexplored as compared to other African capital cities like Johannesburg, Nairobi, Kigali, and Accra. Despite her seeming potential, the face of tourism in Abuja faces persistent challenges like infrastructural deficits in the form of poor road networks, limited tourist signage and lately the rising concerns over insecurity. Consequently, there is under-utilisation of cultural heritages like festivals, appreciation of ornaments, absence of museums and crafts. These limitations hinder both domestic and international tourist inflows about Abuja's ability to compete with better-positioned African destinations. Therefore, as if waking from a deep slumber, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) at last has decided to take the challenge of tourism head on. Just recently, the administration signed agreements with Suburban Broadband Limited and Akida Hills Limited to develop Jabi Lake into a top-tier recreational and leisure hub in the heart of Territory. The project is part of the FCTA's plan to boost tourism, stimulate economic growth and modernise urban infrastructure across the territory. At the signing ceremony, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, highlighted Abuja's growth as a city with a huge tourism and recreational potential. He, however, lamented that before now, the activities of land grabbers had all along frustrated the genuine efforts of the government from carrying out development programmes. Wike said, "Land speculation had slowed development in the past, but this era is over. Anyone who has applied for land for development must start construction within six months or the allocation would be revoked." He emphasised the FCT administration's commitment to urban renewal, transparent governance and proper land management. The project partners, Pankaj Khandelwal of Suburban Broadband Limited, described the project as a "landmark investment" that would create jobs and drive economic growth in Abuja as they outlined their plans and vision for the hub to the minister. Pankaj said, "This initiative reflects the FCTA's commitment to making Abuja a vibrant, modern city with high-quality recreational infrastructure and a strong tourism economy. The initiative is projected to generate thousands of jobs, stimulate growth, and raise Abuja's waterfront to world-class standards with luxury residential, commercial, hospitality and recreational facilities. "Jabi Lake Waterfront would not only boost local employment and investment but also attract international tourism and business, cementing the FCT's status as Africa's leading capital city." The Jabi Lake Recreational Hub, once completed, is expected to elevate Abuja to a world-class tourism city as it is capable of attracting local and international visitors, while creating jobs in hospitality, entertainment and services to encourage investment and urban growth. Previous moves This recent move by the minister is certainly not the first overture the authorities in the territory had made towards revitalising tourism in the area. As a matter of fact, the FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, had stated in 2024, during the maiden edition of the FCT Area Councils' Tourism and Hospitality Investment Carnival and Expo, that the administration was poised to reposition the area councils as thriving tourism and investment hubs. Represented by the permanent secretary, Social Development Secretariat, Bunmi Olowookere, she emphasised that the event was aimed at showcasing and promoting investment opportunities and economic growth potential inherent in the various area councils of the FCT which, of course, does not exclude Abuja city. She observed that through the celebration of indigenous culture, business and innovation, the administration was poised to revitalise the economy, foster inclusive community development and create pathways for sustainable wealth generation in the territory in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The minister disclosed that the FCT administration led by Wike had received the mandate of the president to develop and open up the culture, tourism and hospitality hubs of the territory in order to compete favourably with other tourists and hospitality destinations across the world. She used the opportunity to assure that the administration would continue to welcome ideas, support initiatives, engender collaborations and participate in exhibitions that would help to deepen and nurture the revitalisation of the tourism and hospitality potential of the FCT as a preferred tourist and investment haven for visitors and investors in the continent. Private engagements In another development, the FCT administration had engaged a private firm to lead efforts that would generate ₦11 trillion from Abuja's tourism sector by 2032. The initiative, aligned with the federal government's tourism development strategy, supports projections by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Creative Economy that the sector could yield trillions of Naira and create millions of jobs within eight years. It is said that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the partnership would reposition Abuja and its six area councils as leading tourism and investment destinations. Part of the plans, according to Blueprint Weekend's investigation, include upgrading existing attractions like the Jabi Lake and WaterFront, Millennium City, Ushafa Pottery, the Millennium Park and others in the territory, developing new cultural and recreational sites and most importantly hosting of a world-class event to draw both local and international visitors. According to the Ministry, tourism could significantly boost Nigeria's GDP with Abuja well-placed as a central hub due to its infrastructure, hospitality facilities and strategic location. The project is also expected to create jobs, foster community participation, and preserve cultural heritage. To that extent, stakeholders have been urged to partner with the FCTA to transform Abuja into one of Africa's top tourism hubs. FG's master plan As a follow up, the federal government has approved the establishment of Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation (CTIC) to develop key infrastructure for Nigeria's creative and tourism industries under a public-private partnership. The initiative was presented recently by the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, during a Federal Executive Council meeting. The whole idea is that it is expected to drive economic growth, create jobs and project the country's cultural heritage globally. According to Musawa, CTIC's primary goal is to provide the necessary infrastructure for the creative sector in order to generate $100 billion for the economy as well as creation of two million jobs. "The establishment of CTIC marks a significant milestone in our journey to unlock Nigeria's economic potential. We are committed to providing the necessary infrastructure to support the growth of our creative industries and promote Nigeria's cultural heritage and creative output globally," she said. Some of the key projects under CTIC include the rehabilitation of Obudu Resort, Yankari Game Reserve, Abuja Creative City, the creation of a Creative City at the Wole Soyinka Centre in Lagos, and the launch of a Centre for African Arts, among others. Stakeholder's view According to a portfolio manager, Moyo Ogunseinde, the hospitality and tourism industry in Nigeria is at a critical juncture; therefore, there is a need to embrace change or risk being left behind. "The key to thriving lies in innovation by adapting to new consumer preferences and leveraging Nigeria's unique strengths. "Nigeria's hospitality and tourism sector has displayed remarkable resilience, not merely surviving but flourishing despite the economic headwinds. This is a testament to the industry's inherent strength and the ingenuity of its players. A horizon of immense opportunity awaits those who embrace innovation, invest wisely and unlock the full potential of this vibrant landscape," she said. However, to realise these, she noted that the potential demands a collective effort. She said, "Entrepreneurs, stakeholders and policymakers must unite to forge a world-class industry that truly reflects the vibrant tapestry of Nigeria with its rich culture, diverse landscapes and indomitable spirit. This is not merely an economic imperative; it is a matter of national pride. By nurturing this sector, we can ensure that it remains a cornerstone of our economy, a source of prosperity for generations to come, and a showcase of the best of what Nigeria has to offer the world."b Source: https://blueprint.ng/jabi-lake-reconstruction-abujas-tourism-hub-long-overdue/