ABUJA, NIGERIA — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has tendered an unreserved apology to residents of the nation’s capital over the persistent and embarrassing presence of cattle roaming major metropolitan highways and residential streets.
Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Abuja, the Minister took full responsibility for the regulatory failure, acknowledging that the sight of herdsmen operating in the city center devalues Abuja’s status as a world-class federal capital.
“I Take Responsibility”
The menace of open grazing in Abuja has remained a long-standing challenge, defying multiple bans by successive FCT administrations. Herds of cattle are routinely spotted disrupting traffic on major expressways, including the Airport Road, Ahmadu Bello Way, and Shehu Shagari Way, while leaving waste on pedestrian walkways and well-manicured green verges.
“It is highly regrettable, and I must apologise to the residents of Abuja for this ongoing nuisance,” Wike stated. “As the Minister, the buck stops on my desk. I take full responsibility for the fact that we have not completely eradicated this issue from our streets. It does not reflect the vision we have for a modern city.”
The Minister explained that the problem requires a multi-dimensional approach, as previous reactive measures—such as impounding cattle and fining herders—had failed to serve as permanent deterrents. He noted that the FCT Administration is now collaborating directly with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the newly created Ministry of Livestock Development to establish grazing reserves and ranches outside the boundaries of the Federal Capital City (FCC).
Enforcement Framework and Ultimatum
Wike warned that while the administration is working on humane, long-term relocations for indigenous herders, the patience of the government has worn thin. He disclosed that a special joint task force comprising the Abuja Environmental Protection Board (AEPB) and conventional security agencies has been re-mobilised with strict orders to clear the roads.
“We are providing alternatives outside the city, but let it be clear: Abuja is a capital city, not a grazing field,” Wike cautioned. “The laws banning open grazing within the metropolis remain fully active. Anyone caught moving cattle through the city center going forward will face immediate prosecution, and their livestock will be confiscated in accordance with FCT guidelines.”
31 Days of Infrastructure Commissioning
Shifting focus to his administration’s broader development agenda, the Minister announced that the FCT is set to embark on a massive, month-long rollout of completed infrastructure projects. The 31-day commissioning calendar is strategically timed to coincide with the anniversary celebrations of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration this June.
Wike highlighted that the projects slated for launch span across both the city center and long-neglected satellite towns, aimed at correcting the developmental imbalance within the territory.
The upcoming inaugurations will feature major road networks, expansive water supply schemes designed to end scarcity in outlying districts, and newly rehabilitated public school structures. Wike emphasised that the completion of these projects underscores his commitment to tangible governance, proving that tax revenues collected within the FCT are being aggressively reinvested into public utility.
