By Stanley Onyekwere
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has expressed its readiness to collaborate with the Republic of Finland to enhance infrastructure, agriculture, and sustainable urban management within the nation’s capital.
The FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, made this disclosure on Tuesday during a courtesy visit by the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Sanna Selin.
The meeting underscored a mutual commitment to deepening bilateral ties and exploring technical partnerships that align with the “Renewed Hope” agenda of the current administration.
During the visit, Wike highlighted Abuja’s rapid growth and the ongoing efforts to transform the city’s landscape through extensive construction projects.
He emphasized that the FCTA is eager to leverage Finland’s expertise in specialized sectors to maintain this momentum.
”As a city, we are willing to cooperate with the cities of other countries to see how we can partner in terms of infrastructure and agriculture.
“You have already mentioned your willingness to provide support in infrastructure development, smart city technology, and green energy. We are very willing to partner with you in these areas”, Wike stated.
The Minister also assured the diplomatic community of the improved security situation in the FCT, noting that the administration remains committed to providing an enabling environment for international partners to carry out their duties safely.
A key highlight of the discussion was the FCT’s urgent interest in modernizing its waste management systems.
Recognizing Finland’s global reputation for environmental technology, Wike extended an invitation for specialized firms to engage with the administration.
”It would be a pleasure for us to have a discussion on waste management with any firm that has the right capacity to manage our waste; that is very, very key for us,” the Minister added.
Responding, the Finnish Ambassador noted that the relationship between the two nations has deepened significantly in recent months.
The Ambassador emphasized that increasing trade and supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation are top priorities for the Finnish mission.
”Finland is one of the most digitized countries in the world, and we have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Nigeria on digitalization and innovation.
“We are also very advanced in water and waste management technologies, as well as circular economy solutions”, the Ambassador added.
She expressed hope that the expertise found in Finland’s capital region could be mirrored in the FCT through concrete bilateral projects, further expanding the economic and technical cooperation between the two regions.
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