Abuja Centenary City Project Relaunched with N750 Billion Infrastructure Deal
Abuja Centenary City Project Relaunched with N750 Billion Infrastructure Deal
After more than a decade of delays, the Abuja Centenary City project, a planned urban development conceived to be Nigeria's version of smart cities like Dubai and Singapore, has been officially relaunched. The project is set to move forward with a significant N750 billion infrastructure development plan.
Key Details of the Relaunch:
Contract Award: Centenary City Plc has awarded a contract to the construction giant Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to execute the first phase of the project's primary infrastructure. The formal engagement was confirmed on August 15, 2025.
What is being built? This initial phase will include a 4.3-kilometer plot access road and secondary infrastructure for three residential districts within the city: The Grove Residences, Safari Park Residences, and Ridge Villas.
Historical Context: The project was first conceived in 2014 to commemorate Nigeria's 100th anniversary. However, it faced multiple setbacks over the past 11 years due to political and regulatory bottlenecks, administrative delays, and land disputes.
Project Vision: The Centenary City is envisioned as a multi-functional "smart city" and a free zone enterprise. When completed, it is expected to feature a central business district, a financial center, a museum, world-class hotels, a golf course, and Africa's tallest skyscraper. The project's full completion is estimated to cost over $1.6 billion (N2.4 trillion).
Economic Impact: The developers stated that the project is expected to generate 50,000 jobs during the construction phase and up to 250,000 permanent jobs when fully operational. The goal is to attract significant foreign direct investment and position Abuja as a global business and lifestyle hub.
Government's Role: The project is a public-private partnership (PPP), with the federal government holding a 5% equity stake through Abuja Investments Company Ltd (AICL) and having a seat on the board. The land for the project was donated by the government. The current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the Minister of Housing, Ahmed Dangiwa, were commended by the developers for their support in reviving the project.
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