Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to the Chairman of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Christopher Maikalangu, against the unapproved naming of streets and roads across the Federal Capital Territory. Wike cautioned the council chairman against using roads constructed by the FCT Administration to generate revenue by naming them after individuals without due authorisation.
Wike delivered the warning on Wednesday during the inauguration of roads in the Gaduwa District of the FCT, an event held to mark President Bola Tinubu's third year in office. He insisted that Maikalangu should only name streets that were financed by the council itself. "Let me warn the Chairman of AMAC, give name of street where you put your money, don't waste for us to construct roads then we wake up in the morning to see the name of streets being named after people we don't know there names anywhere," Wike said.
The minister further cautioned against using federal government projects as a revenue source. "Don't use us to collect revenue, carry your money to construct roads then name them after those you want. I don't want a situation where we leave here tomorrow and you still want to fix names," he declared.
Acknowledging the legal argument that street naming falls within the purview of local government councils, Wike maintained that federal approval remains a prerequisite for roads built by the FCT Administration. "You know that there is this argument that naming of streets is the sole responsibility of Local Government Councils. I was one of those who were council chairmen then," he said. "However, if the streets within the city and its the government of the state or federal government as the case may be that constructed that road, permission must be taken from either the state or the federal government before the street is named after those you want to".
In a lighter moment, the minister addressed potential criticism of his stance, adding jokingly: "Somebody would now ask why is it that now that you have left council that you remembered this, well 'condition make crayfish bend'".
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who also spoke at the event, echoed Wike's sentiments, warning Maikalangu against naming federally funded roads after "his mother" or a "palm wine tapper in his village". "It's not when the federal government has finished that you would find anybody, one palm wine tapper in your village and name the road after the person," Akpabio said. He commended the FCT Minister for issuing the timely warning.
This is not the first time Wike has confronted Maikalangu over the issue. In October 2025, the minister had warned against the practice of selling street naming rights to the highest bidder, describing it as unacceptable.
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