In a historic move that has sent ripples through Nigeria’s political landscape, President Bola Tinubu has successfully shattered a 44-year-old record by appointing former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This strategic decision by President Tinubu marks the end of a long-standing dominance by Northern leaders over the critical FCT Ministry.
Wike’s appointment is groundbreaking on multiple fronts. Notably, he becomes the very first minister to lead the FCT from the southern region since the advent of Nigeria’s democratic era in 1999. Prior to this, the FCT Ministry had been held by figures predominantly hailing from the Northern region, creating a distinctive pattern that Wike’s appointment has definitively disrupted.
The last time a southern minister held this prestigious position was in the formative years of the Nigerian republic. Ajose Adeogun served as the inaugural FCT minister in 1976, and Emeka Okoye followed suit in 1981, but the southern voice within the Ministry had remained silent for the ensuing decades.
Wike’s appointment adds a fresh layer of diversity to the leadership of the FCT, signaling a renewed commitment to inclusivity and equitable representation. As a distinguished politician known for his proactive governance style, Wike’s elevation is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the Ministry and the development of the capital city, Abuja.
The list of past FCT ministers underscores the historical significance of Wike’s appointment. While various political leaders have helmed the Ministry over the years, the absence of southern representation has been conspicuous. This new appointment ushers in a chapter of geographical balance, reflecting the evolving dynamics of Nigerian politics.
The table below showcases the roster of FCT ministers, highlighting the landmark moment of Nyesom Wike’s inclusion:
| Title | Minister | Took Office | Left Office | Party |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Minister | Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun | 1976 | 1979 | – |
| Minister | John Jatau Kadiya | 1979 | 1982 | NPN |
| Minister | Iro Abubakar Dan Musa | 1982 | 1983 | NPN |
| Minister | Haliru Dantoro | 1983 | 31 Dec 1983 | – |
| Minister | Mamman Jiya Vatsa | 1984 | Dec 1985 | – |
| Minister | Hamza Abdullahi | 1986 | 1989 | – |
| Minister | Gado Nasko | 1989 | 1993 | – |
| Minister | Jeremiah Timbut Useni | 1993 | 1998 | – |
| Minister | Mamman Kontagora | 1998 | 1999 | – |
| Minister | Ibrahim Bunu | 1999 | 2001 | PDP |
| Minister | Mohammed Abba Gana | Feb 2001 | Jul 2003 | PDP |
| Minister | Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai | Jul 2003 | Jul 2007 | PDP |
| Minister | Aliyu Modibbo Umar | Jul 2007 | Oct 2008 | PDP |
| Minister | Muhammadu Adamu Aliero | Dec 2008 | Apr 2010 | PDP |
| Minister | Bala Mohammed | Apr 2010 | May 2015 | PDP |
| Minister | Mohammed Musa Bello | Nov 2015 | May 2023 | APC |
| Minister | Nyesom Wike | Aug 2023 | Incumbent | PDP |
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