President Bola Tinubu has approved allocation of plots of land in Abuja to ambassadors and high commissioners-designate, citing efforts to strengthen diplomatic engagement and encourage closer ties with Nigeria.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, disclosed this while addressing a group of ambassadors-designate led by Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dunoma Umar Ahmed, who had come to pay him a courtesy visit at his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja on Tuesday. 

​“The President believes that most of you do not have a place in Abuja… he will encourage you to see how you will put up where you can stay. Before you leave this morning, each and every one of you should have your form to apply for a land allocation in Abuja,” Mr Wike said. 

He also used the medium to remind the diplomats that they are direct representatives of Nigeria, while imploring them to utilise their roles to attract foreign investment into the country in line with Mr Tinubu’s vision.

“You are, in essence, the mirror of this country. The way the world sees you is the way it will see Nigeria,” the minister, adding “Mr President has travelled extensively to attract investment and partnerships. It is now your role to reinforce that effort by building confidence in Nigeria as a viable destination for investment.”

Speaking further, Mr Wike rejected the accusation by opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress that the ruling All Progressives Congress is turning Nigeria into a one-party state. 

“Nigeria remains a multi-party democracy. There is no plan to turn the country into a one-party state. You must communicate this clearly wherever you serve,” the former Rivers State governor added. 

Meanwhile, Mr Ahmed commended Mr Wike’s ongoing ‘transformation’ of the FCT as he reiterated that “Our Ambassadors and High Commissioners have been entrusted with representing Nigeria at a pivotal moment in our nation’s development.”