Tinubu orders Wike to give land for Abdulsalami's resource centre in Abuja

President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for the creation of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Africa Resource Centre in Abuja. This includes a large piece of land along the Airport Road and funds for building the centre.

The president made this announcement on Saturday. He did this through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 84th birthday celebration of former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Abdulsalami led Nigeria from 8 June 1998 to 29 May 1999.

President Tinubu said the centre is a worthy tribute to a statesman known for his dedication to peace, democracy, national unity, and public service. He believes the centre reflects the values Abdulsalami has promoted during his years of service to Nigeria and Africa.

“The establishment of the Abdulsalami Abubakar Africa Resource Centre is a worthy initiative that aligns with the values General Abdulsalami Abubakar has championed throughout his life,” Mr Tinubu stated.

To show the federal government’s support, the president instructed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to allocate a large area of land in Abuja for the centre.

“In recognition of its importance, I hereby direct the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory to allocate a very huge piece of land within the Federal Capital Territory along the Airport Road for the development of the centre and the advancement of its mission,” the president said.

Besides the land, the federal government will also pay for the construction of this facility.

Mr Shettima shared that President Tinubu had looked over the building plans for the centre and approved funding for its development.

“Mr President has seen the building plan for the structure and has promised that the federal government will fund the construction of the centre,” the vice president added.

President Tinubu further praised Abdulsalami, calling him one of the key leaders in Nigeria’s democratic journey.

He mentioned that the former military ruler took charge during a tough time and successfully led Nigeria back to democracy after years of military rule.

According to him, Abdulsalami kept his promise to hand over power to an elected government, placing the nation’s interest above personal gain.

“At a moment of profound uncertainty, when Nigeria stood at a crossroads, providence entrusted him with the responsibility of leadership. He understood both the weight of that responsibility and the demands of the moment.

“He pledged to return the country to democratic rule and fulfilled that pledge faithfully and honourably. In doing so, he rendered one of the greatest services any leader can render a nation,” Mr Tinubu said.

The president credited the former Head of State for laying the groundwork for the Fourth Republic with a successful transition program that led to the handover of power in 1999.

He noted that the democracy established under Mr Abubakar’s watch has become Nigeria’s longest period of civilian rule, allowing millions of citizens to take part in governance and public service.

“The peaceful transition he supervised in 1999 gave birth to the Fourth Republic, the longest uninterrupted democratic period in Nigeria’s history. Millions of Nigerians, including those of us privileged to serve in public office today, are beneficiaries of the stability and democratic foundation his stewardship helped secure,” he said.

Reflecting on his political journey, Mr Tinubu said he is among many pro-democracy activists who returned to politics because they believed in Abdulsalami’s promise to restore constitutional rule.

“I speak not only as president but also as one whose political journey was shaped by that historic transition. Like many pro-democracy activists of that era, I returned to participate in the democratic process because I was convinced of General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s sincerity and determination to restore constitutional rule.

“He kept his word and, as a result, steadied the ship of state, preserved national cohesion and guided our country safely towards democracy,” he added.

President Tinubu also noted that Abdulsalami’s role in nation-building continued after his time in office.

He praised the former Head of State for being a mediator, peace advocate, and elder statesman, especially through the National Peace Committee and other conflict-resolution efforts in Africa.

According to the president, Abdulsalami has remained a strong voice for dialogue, reconciliation, and democratic stability in Nigeria and beyond.

“Through the National Peace Committee and several interventions across Africa, he has consistently promoted dialogue, reconciliation, and responsible political engagement,” President Tinubu said.