Wike Vows Action Against Illegal Settlements Encroaching Abuja Technology Village

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, stated that the FCT Administration will take action to remove illegal settlements that have encroached into the Abuja Technology Village (ATV) in Pyakassa, along the Umar Musa Yar’Adua expressway. 

Mr Wike made this statement during an inspection visit to the Abuja Technology Village, on Monday, accompanied by the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Uche Nnaji.


He observed that the original inhabitants who encroached into the ATV had been compensated as far back as 2015. 


He blamed the lack of perimeter fencing around the Technology Park for the continued encroachment. 

He said he would direct the Development Control Department of the FCTA to give an ultimatum to the illegal settlements to leave the area, warning that no amount of campaigning would stop the Administration from doing what is right.

“If you don’t take action, people will not believe that anything is possible. I will call the development control and give them an ultimatum for these people to leave. They have been compensated since 2015.”

“We must quickly see what we can do to relocate these people since they have been compensated. We are going to take immediate action. I can tell you that. I urge those who are settling here to know that we will not hesitate to move them out. No amount of campaign will stop us from doing the right thing,” he said. 

The Minister expressed surprise at the lack of activities at the ATV despite the provision of road infrastructure. 

He invited the Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology to inspect the project with him to attract investors into the technology village.


He also assured that the government has the political will to develop the technology village and urged the Acting Managing Director of ATV, Isa Shafeek, to set up his office on the site to encourage investors.



 “I was thinking that there are a lot of activities going on here, not knowing that it’s just empty land. The roads have been provided and that ought to interest investors. It depends on what you have been doing since.




“But you don’t even have an office here to tell people that you are here. So, if an investor is coming, he is coming to meet an empty land and you are renting an office. You must find a way to erect an office where you know that this is where you come to work every day. That is what will bring people here.




“Let us know what it will take to erect a befitting office so that you will leave that place you are renting because if you calculate, the money you spent renting, you would have used that money to start doing something good,” he added. 


Meanwhile, Mr Nnaji, said the government has a vision to create a replica of the London Technology City as well as the Silicon Valley of the United States in the ATV. 

He said the Abuja Technology Village would house a large infrastructure and technology in the next few years, adding that companies in America were already showing interest.

“Even as we speak, there are companies in America that came about a month ago and want to put in 200 megawatts of solar power here. They want to start right away and there are so many other companies that want to start right away.




“But as this encroachment continues, we have to stop it somewhere to see how we can take over, either compensate them or demolish it because we can’t have this kind of thing here,” he said. 


In a remark, the Acting MD, of Abuja Technology Village, said people from the settlements around the technology village were causing environmental degradation with the dumping of refuse and mining of laterite stones inside the technology village and called for the immediate removal of the settlements.

“The indigenous settlers have been compensated since around 2015. But because they don’t see any barrier, they keep coming back. This is just one. The other one is environmental degradation, the dumping of refuse. Some come to mine laterite stones stones,” he stated. 


Background



Abuja Technology Village (ATV) is a testament to Africa’s growing tech landscape, leading the way in innovation and technological advancement. The idea of ATV can be traced back to the early 2000s when the Nigerian government recognized the need to create a dedicated hub for technology research, incubation, and development in Abuja, the nation’s capital.


ATV, formally inaugurated in 2004, emerged as a collaborative initiative driven by government agencies, private sector partners, and industry stakeholders, united by a shared mission to foster innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic diversification in Nigeria and across the African continent. With a clear vision, ATV aimed to create an environment conducive to the growth and collaboration of technology-driven businesses, empowering them to thrive and innovate.


Since then, ATV has evolved into a dynamic ecosystem, attracting tech startups, multinational corporations, research institutions, and venture capitalists seeking to tap into Africa’s untapped potential in the digital age. With state-of-the-art infrastructure, cutting-edge facilities, and a supportive regulatory framework, ATV has become a hub for tech enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, and investors alike.



One of ATV’s defining features is its strategic location in Abuja’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which provides unparalleled access to Nigeria’s largest consumer market and serves as a gateway to the wider African market. This strategic positioning has made ATV a hub for international collaboration, knowledge exchange, and investment, driving economic growth and job creation across the continent.


ATV’s journey has been marked by milestones and achievements, including the establishment of flagship projects and groundbreaking initiatives aimed at accelerating innovation and digital transformation. As Africa’s technology landscape continues to evolve, ATV remains committed to driving positive change and shaping the future of technology on the continent.