The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, on Thursday flagged off the long-awaited Light Up Abuja project, aimed at providing integrated hybrid solar street lighting across the city’s districts and major expressways.
Speaking at the ceremony, Wike said the initiative was designed to guarantee uninterrupted street lighting, improve security, and enhance the capital’s aesthetics as it prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in February 2026.
“In the next seven months, it will be a different thing. Anybody coming to Abuja will not only see good roads, but also a city that is fully lit,” the Minister assured.
Wike revealed that nearly 80 percent of Abuja was in darkness when he assumed office, a situation he said contributed to rising insecurity. He blamed the challenge on a cycle of corruption involving “political contractors” who collected huge sums for maintenance without delivering results.
The new project, he said, breaks from the old system. It was sealed during President Bola Tinubu’s investment mission to Beijing in 2024, with two Chinese firms – the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and China Geo-Engineering Corporation (C). Both firms are tasked not only with installation but also with maintaining the facilities for up to five years.
The Minister said the hybrid solar system will also feature surveillance technology to track and deter vandals and cable thieves. “Criminals will run away because when there is light everywhere, you cannot hide,” he noted.
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