In a strategic move to bolster urban planning and regulatory enforcement in the nation's capital, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced a key appointment. Mukhtar Usman Galadima, the former director of the Department of Development Control, has been appointed as the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Development Control and Planning.
A Seasoned Planner Returns to Service
The appointment was officially confirmed in a statement released on Wednesday, December 3, 2025, by the minister's spokesperson. Galadima, who only recently retired from the civil service in November 2025, brings a wealth of institutional knowledge back to the FCT Administration. He first rose to the position of director within the same department in 2016, marking nearly a decade in leadership.
Described by Wike's office as "a seasoned town planner with over 30 years of experience," Galadima's career has been deeply embedded within the FCTA's Department of Development Control and the Satellite Towns Development Agency. His extensive profile includes membership on several critical ministerial committees, most notably the Abuja Masterplan Restoration Task Team and the committee for the Review of Revoked Titles and Change of Land Use. The appointment is reported to take effect immediately.
Wike's Infrastructure Drive and Master Plan Vow
This appointment aligns directly with Minister Wike's publicly stated mission to strictly enforce the Abuja Master Plan and accelerate infrastructure development. Wike, often referred to as 'Mr. Infrastructure,' has consistently argued that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has transformed Abuja into a bustling construction hub, reviving projects that had previously stalled.
In recent statements, Wike has been unequivocal about his approach to land management. He has lamented that for over two decades, numerous plots of land allocated by the government were left undeveloped by purported 'investors,' while public infrastructure in those areas deteriorated. "Who do you call an investor?" Wike questioned pointedly in a recent media engagement, "Where is the money for 20 years? Not one block has been put on land, and you use government land."
Crackdown on Fallow Land and Unpaid Fees
The minister's words have been followed by decisive action. The FCT Administration, under Wike's leadership, has embarked on a sweeping review and revocation of land titles that have not been developed or where necessary fees remain unpaid. This policy has already led to the revocation of 1,095 property titles in high-value districts including Asokoro, Maitama, Garki, and Wuse.
These enforcements are linked to alleged non-payment of Ground Rent, Certificate of Occupancy fees, and other statutory violations. Wike has framed these moves as essential for correcting past failures, ensuring accountability, and reclaiming the original vision of Abuja. The appointment of a veteran like Galadima, with his direct experience on the Masterplan Restoration Task Team, is seen as a key step in implementing this rigorous regulatory agenda.
The minister maintains that the priority of the FCT Administration is firmly aligned with President Tinubu's 'Renewed Hope' agenda, focusing on tangible development and the restoration of order in the capital's growth and planning.
