ABUJA — Residents of the Federal Capital Territory, weary of the daily struggle with unregulated commercial transport, will have to wait just a little longer to use the city’s shiny new bus terminals.
The Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, has clarified that while the physical structures at Mabushi and Kugbo are practically ready to welcome passengers, the engines cannot start until the Federal Executive Council (FEC) gives the green light to the management contracts.
The Final Hurdle
Speaking during an inspection tour of the facilities on Thursday, February 12, 2026, Wike explained that the delay isn’t about bricks and mortar, but about administrative due process. Because the cost of the operational contracts for these massive terminals exceeds the approval limit of a Minister, the file has been moved to the Presidency for FEC’s final nod.
“We have finished our part. The Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) has given us the ‘No Objection’ certificate,” Wike told reporters. “Now, it is for the FEC to approve the private companies that will manage these terminals. We don’t want the government to run them; we want professionals who will keep them clean and secure.”
Transforming the “Along” Culture
The ₦51 billion project, handled by Planet Projects Ltd, is designed to end the chaotic “Along” system where commuters board vehicles at unauthorized and often dangerous spots.
- Capacity: Each terminal is built to handle over 10,000 passengers and 100 buses daily.
- Security: The facilities feature CCTV monitoring and centralized ticketing to track every vehicle, a move aimed at ending the “One Chance” robbery epidemic in the city.
- Connectivity: The Mabushi and Kugbo sites are strategically located to link the city center with satellite towns like Nyanya and Gwarinpa.
What’s Next?
While the Mabushi and Kugbo terminals are standing tall, work is still being rounded up at the Central Business District (CBD) terminal. Wike expressed optimism that the FEC would treat the memo with urgency at its next meeting, potentially allowing operations to begin before the end of the first quarter.
For Abuja commuters, the sight of the completed but empty terminals has been a source of frustration, but the Minister’s assurance suggests that the era of boarding buses under bridges and on highway shoulders is finally coming to an end.
