The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) is responsible for the governance and development of Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) of Nigeria. It was established to manage the territory’s infrastructure, services, and overall administration to ensure that Abuja remains a world-class capital city. The FCTA functions as both a Federal Ministry and a State Government, operating through various Secretariats, Departments, and Agencies.

History and Administrative Structure

The FCTA was established as part of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administrative reforms to enhance service delivery in the FCT. These reforms significantly altered the governance structure, leading to the creation of several mandate secretariats.

List of Past FCT Ministers

Since its establishment, the FCTA has been overseen by several ministers, including:

  • Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai (2004 – 2007)
  • Aliyu Moddibbo Umar (2007 – 2008)
  • Mohammed Adamu Aliero (2008 – Feb. 2010)
  • Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed CON (2010 – 2015)
  • Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello (2015 – 2023)
  • Bar. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (2023 – Present)

 

Nyesom Wike

Governance Structure

The governance of the FCT follows a unique structure as outlined in Section 299 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria. This provision states that the FCT is to be treated as if it were one of the states of the federation. However, unlike other states, the President of Nigeria acts as the Governor of the FCT and delegates administrative responsibilities to the Honourable Minister of the FCT.

Key Administrative Roles

  • FCT Minister – Acts as the chief executive of the administration.
  • Minister of State – Assists in managing the affairs of the FCT.
  • Permanent Secretary – Serves as the accounting officer and head of the bureaucracy.
  • Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) – Oversees physical infrastructure development in the FCT and reports to the FCDA Board, which is chaired by the FCT Minister.

FCTA Mandate Secretariats

To streamline governance and improve service delivery, seven Mandate Secretariats were created:

  1. Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat
  2. Area Council Services Secretariat
  3. Education Secretariat
  4. Health and Human Services Secretariat
  5. Legal Services Secretariat
  6. Social Development Secretariat
  7. Transportation Secretariat

These Secretariats allow for the appointment of non-career civil servants into the mainstream administration of the FCT, ensuring that governance is brought closer to the people while reducing bureaucratic delays.

Vision and Mission of FCTA

  • Vision: To be one of the 20 World-Class Capital Cities.
  • Mission: To provide infrastructure, services, and administration for the development of a first-class Federal Capital Territory comparable to the best in the world.

Legal and Administrative Developments

The FCTA has undergone significant legal and structural transformations. Notably:

  • Act 12 of 1984 introduced the Federal Capital Territory Applicable Laws, which were later incorporated into the 1990 codification and now exist as Cap F6 LFN 2004.
  • The evolution of Area Councils from Development Areas has improved grassroots governance.
  • The relocation of the FCT Headquarters from Gwagwalada to the Federal Capital City, Abuja, centralized administrative functions.
  • The establishment of Secretariats and Agencies via Order 1 of 2004 provided a structured approach to governance.

FCTA Headquarters and Contact Information

Conclusion

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) plays a crucial role in the governance and development of Abuja, ensuring that the city continues to grow as a premier capital comparable to the best in the world. Through its structured governance system, the administration effectively manages infrastructure, services, and public administration, fostering growth and development across the territory.