The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration and the government of Qatar have explored opportunities for cooperation in urban planning, infrastructure development and investment, alongside efforts to resolve concerns over land allocated for Qatar’s embassy in Abuja. The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, gave the assurance during a meeting with Qatar’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Yousef Mohammed Ahmed Al-Hail, in Abuja on Tuesday.
The discussions focused on strengthening diplomatic relations, exchanging expertise in urban development and creating opportunities for investment between Abuja and Doha. Al-Hail raised concerns over a court letter challenging Qatar’s ownership of an approximately 8,000-square-metre parcel of land allocated for its embassy in Abuja. He appealed to the FCT Administration to clarify the matter to enable the country to proceed with its development plans.
Responding, Wike assured the ambassador that the administration would take action to address the issue. “Be assured that nothing will happen. We want to assure you that whatever the issue is, we will take action on it,” he said. The minister also proposed closer cooperation between Abuja and Doha, particularly in urban planning, transportation and infrastructure development. He commended Qatar’s experience in developing modern cities and hosting major international events, saying the FCT Administration was interested in studying approaches that could be adapted to Abuja.
Wike said the administration was prepared to send a delegation to Qatar to examine its urban planning models, transport systems and other development initiatives. “We want to partner with you. We will come and see how we can visit Qatar and see what they have done in terms of developing new cities. Planning and the concepts are very key,” he said. He added that the administration would support cooperation with Qatar and work to ensure that legitimate business and investment interests were not unnecessarily hindered.
Wike also proposed engagement with Qatar Charity to explore possible interventions in education, healthcare, housing and community infrastructure across the FCT. He said partnerships with development organisations could complement ongoing efforts to improve infrastructure and social services in the territory. Earlier, Al-Hail expressed Qatar’s interest in strengthening relations with Nigeria, particularly in urban development and investment.
He proposed a formal partnership between Abuja and Doha to facilitate the exchange of expertise in city planning, infrastructure, transportation and investment. The ambassador highlighted Qatar’s transport networks, educational facilities and aviation infrastructure as areas from which Abuja could draw useful lessons. He called for discussions on a cooperation agreement between the relevant authorities in both cities and expressed readiness to review a draft agreement and advance plans for a possible visit by FCT officials to Qatar.
Al-Hail also highlighted investment opportunities for Nigerians in Qatar, noting that reforms had been introduced to attract foreign investment and expand participation in the property and business sectors. On air connectivity, he said Qatar Airways operated services linking Doha with Abuja and Lagos, adding that the airline planned to increase capacity to meet passenger demand.
He said stronger diplomatic and economic relations could create opportunities for trade, tourism, investment and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. The meeting opened discussions on urban development cooperation and investment while addressing concerns surrounding Qatar’s proposed embassy site in Abuja.
