By Stanley Onyekwere
Following the disclosure of plans to review the Abuja Masterplan, indigenous groups and community leaders have launched a coordinated appeal for the total integration of the territory’s original inhabitants into the new urban design.
Recall that speaking on Monday, the Minister of the FCT, Barr. Nyesom Wike, revealed that the FCT Administration has concluded arrangements to review the long-standing Abuja Master Plan.
Wike disclosed that critical bilateral discussions with the original Japanese architects and designers of the city have already been scheduled to take place in July 2026.
In swift reaction to the development, Isaac David, a prominent FCT youth leader, alongside the Abuja Original Inhabitants Youths Empowerment Organisation (AOIYEO), issued a statement strongly commending Wike.
The youth group praised the Minister for “standing for justice, equal rights, freedom from discrimination, and the protection of the political, administrative, and human rights of the Original Inhabitants (OIs) in the FCT.”
According to him, concurrently, a coalition representing 858 indigenous community leaders across the territory has formally appealed to the FCT Minister.
He noted that their core demand is the explicit, structured inclusion of all 858 indigenous communities into the upcoming master plan review, warning that urban expansion must no longer come at the cost of local displacement.
He added that to ensure a smooth, conflict-free modernization of the nation’s capital, the indigenous leaders have submitted a comprehensive policy blueprint titled the Abuja Original Inhabitants Communities Development Policy and Integration Guidelines (OIs-CDPIG).
The framework outlines the definitive “prayers” and structural demands of the indigenous people, categorized into vital operational areas
“Historial & cultural mapping – formal acknowledgement of the cultural, social, and economic characteristics of indigenous communities, addressing the systemic challenges they currently face.
“Comprehensive community profiling- an immediate demographic and socio-economic needs assessment, specifically capturing local land ownership, traditional usage patterns, and community aspirations.
“Development & housing standards -inclusive Zoning: Land use planning that accommodates indigenous settlements,” the statement added.
