Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has attributed the completion of major infrastructure projects in Abuja to strong leadership, clear vision and unwavering commitment to public service.

Meanwhile, the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project Nigeria (SERAP) has urged President Bola Tinubu to direct Wike to withdraw the threat to shut down 34 foreign embassies in Abuja over ground rent debts.

Wike, while addressing journalists during a tour of completed projects across the capital city, including the newly renovated International Conference Centre (ICC) and the National Secretariat Infrastructure Facilities Expansion (NSIFE), yesterday, said despite the nation’s economic challenges, the FCT Administration was able to fulfil key promises made under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through strategic leadership and disciplined execution.

In a moment he described as one of the happiest in his public career, Wike said: “Everything revolves around leadership. When leaders set clear goals and are committed to achieving them, success is inevitable. You don’t need all the money in the world, you need vision, prudence, and the will to deliver.”

The minister emphasised the importance of financial discipline and a results-oriented approach to public service.

“Bureaucracy is a challenge, yes, but with communication and clear expectations, you can overcome it. I sit down with my team and make it clear what we’re trying to achieve. If you’re not aligned with that vision, there’s no law that says you must remain in that role,” he said.

According to Wike, success in governance is not about issuing orders, but about creating a shared understanding of objectives and expectations within the civil service. He noted that his approach to managing personnel encouraged productivity and accountability.

“I tell my directors, if you’re not performing, I’ll take you to where there’s no pressure—where there’s nothing to do. But if you want to be part of the vision, then you must key in.”

However, SERAP’s reaction followed recent revelations by the FCTA that at least 34 embassies in Abuja owe rents for as far back as 2014. Among the embassies listed are those of Ghana, Thailand, Equatorial Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, Russia, Philippines, Netherlands, Turkey, Guinea, Ireland, Uganda, Iraq, Zambia and Tanzania.

Others are Germany, DR Congo, Venezuela, Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, Egypt, Chad, India, Sudan, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Indonesia, the European Union (EU), Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, China and South Africa.

SERAP, in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on yesterday, warned that allowing Wike to carry out the threat would violate international law and diplomatic conventions.

Director of Land, Chijioke Nwankwoeze, had stated that depending on their location, the defaulting embassies and other defaulters would pay penalty fees of N2 million or N3 million.