Centenary City Plc has announced a landmark contract worth ₦750 billion with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to execute phase one of Abuja’s most ambitious urban renewal project.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Ike Odenigwe, managing director of Centenary City Plc, said the contract would cover primary infrastructure, including a 4.3-kilometre access road and secondary infrastructure across three residential districts Grove Residences, Safari Park Residences, and Ridge Villas.
He disclosed that Dar Al-Handasah Consultants, which prepared the original master plan in 2014, would also oversee detailed engineering design. Odenigwe described the initiative as “Abuja’s most ambitious urban renewal effort,” noting that the project was designed to attract global investment and establish the city as a multifunctional lifestyle hub.
The Centenary City project, first conceived during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan to commemorate Nigeria’s centenary, has been plagued for years by legal disputes, revoked land titles, and administrative delays. But Odenigwe stressed that the renewed push, backed by the current government, signals a decisive turnaround.
“We are going to change the landscape of Abuja. This is a destination,” Odenigwe said, adding that the project would complement existing facilities and enable Nigeria’s capital to compete with global cities.
As part of its grand vision, Odenigwe announced plans to build the tallest building in sub-Saharan Africa and a 150-hectare entertainment park to serve Nollywood filmmakers. The city will also host 13 branded international hotels.
He praised the support of Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), describing his role as critical to renewed efforts to diversify Abuja’s economy. He further noted that the federal government, through Abuja Investments Company Ltd (AICL), retains five percent equity in the project and a seat on the board.
Odenigwe said the development was strictly a public-private partnership (PPP), with the federal government donating the land. He emphasised the company’s commitment to inclusive growth, pointing to borehole projects, scholarship schemes, and a resettlement plan that has so far delivered 280 homes for original inhabitants of Gude district, with a target of 857 houses.
The project, he added, is expected to generate 50,000 jobs during construction and up to 250,000 permanent jobs when completed.
On the delays that stalled progress for nearly a decade, Odenigwe blamed policy inconsistency across successive administrations. “Whenever there is a change of government, policies don’t continue,” he said. “But with the coming of this government, we have conquered the issue of policy inconsistency, because this government knows the economic value of this project.”
He commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for recognising the importance of foreign direct investment in bridging Nigeria’s infrastructure gap. “Nigeria needs foreign direct investment; our population is growing, and infrastructure is lagging behind,” Odenigwe said. “This government understands that there is an infrastructural gap.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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