President Bola Tinubu has said his administration will continue to provide infrastructure in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) for academia and professional institutions to thrive.

Mr Tinubu gave the assurance in Abuja on Wednesday while inaugurating the newly constructed Collected Road C01 with a bridge, linking the Body of Benchers, Nile University and Baze University in the Institution and Research District, Abuja.

The president, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, said that the district was conceived in the Abuja Master Plan to be the intellectual hub of the nation’s capital.

“But for too long, the brilliant minds here—our custodians of legal heritage at the Body of Benchers and our future leaders, innovators, and thinkers at Nile University and Baze Universities—were cut off by infrastructure deficits.

“Before today, moving between these institutions was a daily headache for students, lecturers, and residents alike. Today, we have restored ease of movement and enhanced safety.

“But beyond that, we are creating an environment where academia and professional institutions can thrive without the baggage of structural neglect,” he said.

Mr Tinubu described infrastructure as the greatest enabler of economic prosperity, saying “when you build roads, you open up districts; when you open up districts, you invite investment and when investment comes, Nigeria grows.

“To the management and students of Nile and Baze Universities, to the Body of Benchers and all residents of this area: this road belongs to you – protect it and cherish it. Let it serve as a daily reminder that your government believes in your future and is committed to building the infrastructure that will carry your dreams forward.

“We will continue to invest in our cities, our satellite towns, and our rural communities because every Nigerian deserves the dividends of good governance.”

Mr Tinubu commended the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his dedication to duty and commitment to delivering quality infrastructure befitting a nation’s capital.

In his remarks, Mr Wike reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration to ensure that every district gets the attention of Mr Tinubu’s administration.

“We have gone round to many districts in the FCT, including satellite towns. Today we are here to inaugurate another project in another district.

“Your Excellency, we thank you for your support; we thank you for the resources made available by removing us from the treasury single account, which is why we are inaugurating several projects across the city,” he said.

On her part, FCT Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, thanked Mr Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly for their continued support and commitment to delivering infrastructure that could transform the lives of citizens.

Mr Mahmoud equally praised Mr Wike for his determination and commitment to transforming drawings into landmarks and turning Mr Tinubu’s promises into reality.

Earlier, acting Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, Richard Dauda, said that the Collector Road CO1, from the Base University junction to Nile University, a length of about 1.5 kilometres, was awarded in October 2025.

Mr Dauda said that the road would provide a critical link and an alternative route with easier connectivity among the various public and private institutions within the district. 

(NAN)