Abuja

Abuja under Köppen climate classification features a tropical wet and dry climate (Köppen: Aw). The FCT experiences three weather conditions annually. This includes a warm, humid rainy season and a blistering dry season. In between the two, there is a brief interlude of harmattan occasioned by the northeast trade wind, with the main feature of dust haze and dryness.[29]

The rainy season begins from April and ends in October, when daytime temperatures reach 28 °C (82.4 °F) to 30 °C (86.0 °F) and nighttime lows hover around 22 °C (71.6 °F) to 23 °C (73.4 °F). In the dry season, daytime temperatures can soar as high as 40 °C (104.0 °F) and nighttime temperatures can dip to 12 °C (53.6 °F). Even the chilliest nights can be followed by daytime temperatures well above 30 °C (86.0 °F). The high altitudes and undulating terrain of the FCT act as a moderating influence on the weather of the territory. The city's inland location causes the diurnal temperature variation to be much larger than coastal cities with similar climates such as Lagos.

Rainfall in the FCT reflects the territory's location on the windward side of the Jos Plateau and the zone of rising air masses with the city receiving frequent rainfall during the rainy season from April to October every year.[30]

The FCT falls within the Guinean forest-savanna mosaic zone of the West African sub-region. Patches of rain forest, however, occur in the Gwagwa plains, especially in the rugged terrain to the southeastern parts of the territory, where a landscape of gullies and rough terrain is found. These areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) form one of the few surviving occurrences of the mature forest vegetation in Nigeria.

Green Hills in Abuja

View of Abuja from Katampe hill

The Abuja Municipal Area Council is the local government responsible for administration of the city. Councillorship and chairmanship elections are held regularly. The People's Democratic Party won the 2013 election, as it had in 2010.[32][33]

The FCT is headed by the FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Bello, who is appointed by central government. The FCT Minister appoints members to the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC)

The FCT's ministers have been as follows:

• Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun 1976–1979[34]
• John Jatau Kadiya, 1979–1982
• Iro Abubakar Dan Musa, 1982–1983
• Haliru Dantoro, 1983–1984
• Mamman Jiya Vatsa, 1984 – December 1985
• Hamza Abdullahi, 1986–1989
• Gado Nasko, 1989–1993
• Jeremiah Timbut Useni, 1993–1998
• Mamman Kontagora, 1998–1999
• Ibrahim Bunu, 1999–2001
• Mohammed Abba Gana, 2001–2003
• Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, 2003 – May 2007
• Aliyu Modibo, 2007–2008
• Adamu Aliero, 2008–2010
• Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, 2010–2015
• Mohammed Bello, 2015–present

Hilton, Abuja

Sheraton, Abuja

National Christian Centre

Abuja National Mosque

For ease and co-ordination of developmental efforts, the city was divided into 'Phases' by its planners, with the city's development taking a concentric form with Phase 1, which consists of the city's inner districts-Central Area, Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, Wuse II, Garki, Garki II, Guzape and Guzape II-at its core spreading out from the foot of Aso Rock, while Phase 5, consisting of the newly created Kyami District covering the vicinity of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport and the permanent campus of the University of Abuja, over 40 kilometres west of Aso Rock. Each Phase is separated from the other by an expressway (some still under construction); for example, Phases 1 and 2 are separated from each other by the Nnamdi Azikiwe expressway, while the entirety of the city proper (Phases 1–5) are enclosed by the Murtala Muhammed (Outer Northern-ONEX and Outer Southern-OSEX) expressways as well as the Federal A2 highway which traverses the Federal Capital Territory on its way to Kaduna (north-bound) and Lokoja (south-bound). Thus there is an integration of the city's road network with the Federal highway network, providing access to the immediate outlying countryside and the surrounding states of the country i.e. Niger State to the west, Kaduna State to the north, Nasarawa State to the east and Kogi State to the south.

The Phase 1 area of the city is divided into ten districts known as cadastral zones.[35]

• Central Cadastral Zone A00
• Garki I District Cadastral Zone A01
• Wuse 1 District Cadastral Zone A02
• Garki II District Cadastral Zone A03
• Asokoro Cadastral Zone A04
• Maitama District Cadastral Zone A05 & A06
• Wuse II Districts (Cadastral Zone A07 & Cadastral Zone A08)
• Guzape District Cadastral Zone A09
• Maitama II District Cadastral Zone A10

There are also sixteen districts in Phase 2.[35]

• Kukwuaba Cadastral Zone B00
• Gudu Cadastral Zone B01
• Durumi Cadastral Zone B02
• Wuye Cadastral Zone B03
• Jabi Cadastral Zone B04
• Utako Cadastral Zone B05
• Mabuchi Cadastral Zone B06
• Jahi Cadastral Zone B08
• Kado Cadastral Zone B09
• Dakibiyu Cadastral Zone B10
• Kaura Cadastral Zone B11
• Duboyi Cadastral Zone B12
• Gaduwa Cadastral Zone B13
• Dutse Cadastral Zone B14
• Katampe Ext Cadastral Zone B19

There are eleven districts in Phase 3.[35]

• Institution and Research Cadastral Zone C00
• Karmo Cadastral Zone C01
• Gwarimpa Cadastral Zone C02
• Dape Cadastral Zone C04
• Kafe Cadastral Zone C05
• Nbora Cadastral Zone C06
• Galadimawa Cadastral Zone C07
• Dakwo Cadastral Zone C08
• Lokogoma Cadastral Zone C09
• Wumba Cadastral Zone C10
• Idu Industrial Cadastral Zone C16

There are five suburban districts: Nyanya, Karu, Gwagwalada, Kubwa, and Jukwoyi. Along the Airport Road (Now Umaru Musa Yar'Adua Express Way) are clusters of satellite settlements, namely Lugbe, Chika, Kuchigworo and Pyakassa. Other satellite settlements are Idu (the main industrial zone), Mpape, Karimu, Gwagwa, Dei-Dei (housing the International Livestock market and also International Building materials market).[36]

Jabi lake

Abuja is home to several parks and green areas with the largest one being Millennium Park. Millennium Park was designed by architect Manfredi Nicoletti and was officially opened by the United Kingdom's Queen Elizabeth II (the former Queen of Nigeria) in December 2003. Another open area park is located in Lifecamp Gwarimpa; near the residence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory. The park is located on a slightly raised hilltop which contains sport facilities like Basketball and Badminton courts another park is the city park, it is located in wuse 2 and is home to numerous outdoor and indoor attractions such as a 4D cinema, astro-turf, lawn tennis court, paintball arena and a variety of restaurants. The National Children's Park and Zoo hosts a number of animals, and recreation spots.[37]

National Children's Park and Zoo

Abuja has a variety of informal spaces known as "Bush Bars" that usually, though not always, include a covered area with tables and chairs where people can sit and have drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) and sometimes there are snacks such as suya, grilled catfish, pounded yam, egusi soup and other small items available for purchase. They are located all over Abuja.[38][39]

Abuja's Central District, also called Central Area, is a strip of land stretching from Aso Rock in the east to the National stadium and the Old City gate in the West.It is like the city's spinal cord, dividing it into the northern sector with Maitama and Wuse, and the southern sector with Garki and Asokoro. While each district has its own clearly demarcated commercial and residential sectors, the Central District is the city's principal Business Zone, where practically all parastatals and multinational corporations have their offices. An attractive area in the Central District is the region known as the Three Arms Zone, so called because it houses the administrative offices of the executive, legislative and judicial arms of the federal government. A few of the other sites worth seeing in the area are the federal secretariats alongside Shehu Shagari Way, Aso Hill, the Abuja Plant Nursery, Eagle Square (which has important historic significance, as it was in this grounds that the present democratic dispensation had its origin on 29 May 1999) and in which all subsequent Presidential Inauguration ceremonies have taken place. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is situated across Shehu Shagari Way facing the Eagle Square. This section is usually closed to traffic during the annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day ceremonies that is observed on 15 January. The National Mosque and National Church of Nigeria are opposite each other on either side of Independence Avenue.[40] A well-known government office is the Ministry of Defense, colloquially nicknamed "Ship House".[41] Also located here is the yet-to-be-completed National Square, Millennium tower and Nigeria Cultural Centre multi-functional complex.

The Garki District is the area in the southwest corner of the city, having the Central District to the north and the Asokoro District to the east. The district is subdivided into units called "Areas". Garki uses a distinctive naming convention of "Area" to refer to parts of Garki. These are designated as Areas 1 to 11. Garki II is used to differentiate the area from Garki Area 2. Visitors may find this system confusing.

Garki is presently the principal business and administrative district of Abuja. Numerous buildings of interest are in this area. Some of them include the General Post Office, Abuja International Conference Centre along the busy Herbert Maculay Way, Nicon Luxury Hotel (formally known as Abuja Sofitel Hotel and Le Meridian), Agura Hotel and Old Federal Secretariat Complex Buildings (Area 1). A new five-star hotel, Hawthorn Suites Abuja, is in Garki.

Area 2 is mainly used for residential purposes, although a zoological garden as well as a small shopping Centre are to be found here as well. Several banks and other commercial offices are located along Moshood Abiola Way in Area 7. The headquarters of the Nigerian Armed Forces – Army, Airforce and Navy – is located on Muhammadu Buhari Way in the Garki District.

The tallest building in this district is the Radio House located at the Area 11 sector, which houses the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications, the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and Voice of Nigeria (VON). The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) stations and corporate headquarters are also in Garki. The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) which oversees and runs the Administration of the Federal Capital Territory has its offices in Garki.

The Office of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja is in Area 11. This is the location of the Federal Capital Development Authority and other administrative buildings. A popular sub-neighbourhood here is found in the vicinity of Gimbiya street, because it has the unique characteristic of being a purely administrative zone on weekdays, while transforming into a purely entertainment zone on weeknights and weekends.[42]

Jabi lake mall

Other places of note include the Cyprian Ekwensi Arts & Culture Centre and The Nigerian Police Mobile Force CID (Criminal Investigation Department) headquarters in Area 10. The Abuja Municipal Area Council, which is the local government administration has its headquarters in Area 10. The new United States Embassy is in the Diplomatic Zone which adjoins Garki.

Wuse District is the northwestern part of the city, with the Maitama District to its north and the Central District to its south. The District is numbered Zones 1–6. The Wuse Market is Abuja's principal market. The second most important post office in the city is here. This district houses the Sheraton Hotel and Towers (Zone 4), Grand Ibro International hotel, the Federal Road Safety Corps Headquarters (Zone 3), Nigerian Customs Services Headquarters, Federal Civil Service Commission (Zone 3), National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration (NAFDAC) (Zone 7), Wuse General Hospital, and the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation. Just as Garki District has Garki II, Wuse has Wuse II. This is distinct from Wuse Zone 2.

Millennium Park in Maitama District

Millennium Park water fountain at night

Maitama District is to the north of the city, with the Wuse and Central Districts lying to its southwest and southeast respectively. This area is home to the top bracket sections of society and business, and has the reputation of being very exclusive and very expensive. Interesting buildings include the Transcorp Hilton Abuja,[43] Nigerian Communications Commission Headquarters (NCC), National Universities Commission (NUC), Soil Conservation Complex, and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The British High Commission is located along Aguiyi Ironsi Way, in Maitama. Also, the Maitama District Hospital is another notable building in Maitama. Maitama District is home to many of the European and Asian embassies.

Maitama II District Maitama II District Cadastral Zone A10 is a new district created by the FCT administration of Muhammed Bello in 2018. Maitama 2 as it is unofficially called was created from Mpape hills, a suburb bothering Bwari and Maitama Districts of the FCT. Maitama II has a high net worth individuals especially legislators as allottees, which makes it a destination for real estate investors who desire to secure the future today.

It is not very clear what the government plans for the district as no much has been said by government agents, but cadastral zoning A indicates the government has good plans for Maitama 2 to correct some errors in Maitama District.

It was learnt that plots of land were revoked from allottees of Mpape district to create the new Maitama II District, although a compensation plan is underway to relocate the revoked allottees to another district the government intends to create. Fortunately, some developers of the Mpape district who have building plan approval and have started building maintain their plots and allocations and are covered in the Maitama II District layout. It is not clear though if a fresh allocation bearing Maitama II District has been issued this set of allottees.

Notable landmarks of Maitama 2 district is Jubilation Avenue, Mount Pleasant Haven and Hilltop Estate.

The district infrastructure is in top gear as the Federal Government had in the 2018 and 2019 budget allocated about N1.3b for the engineering design of the district. Villages around the district are leaving in fear of demolition at any time with the information reaching them that government will commence the infrastructure project of Maitama II District.[44]

Asokoro District, the doyen of the districts, houses all of the state's lodges/guest houses. The ECOWAS secretariat is a focal point of interest. Asokoro is to the east of Garki District and south of Central District. It is one of the most exclusive districts of Abuja and houses virtually all of the federal cabinet ministers as well as most of the diplomatic community in the city; in addition, the Presidential Palace (commonly referred to as the Aso Rock) is in Asokoro District. By virtue of this fact, Asokoro is the most secure area of the city.

Jabi is a developed district in phase 2 of Abuja. It is both residential and commercial in nature. The residential parts of the district are peaceful with streets of large gated houses being a prominent feature. The more commercial parts of the area are significantly busier. The district plays host to the Jabi Lake, which sits by the Jabi Lake Mall.[45]

Gwarimpa is the last district in the Abuja Municipal Area Council. It is a 20-kilometre (12 mi) drive from the central district and contains the largest single housing estate in Nigeria, the Gwarimpa Housing Estate. The estate was built by the administration of General Sani Abacha and is the largest of its kind in Africa. It provides residence for the majority of the civil servants in federal ministries and government parastatals. The ECOWAS Court has an official quarters for the President and Members of the Court in Gwarimpa.

Durumi District is located southwest of Abuja and is bordered by Garki Districts I and II to the northeast. Its borders are the Oladipo Diya Road to the southwest, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Express Way to the northeast, and Ahmadu Bello Way to the southeast.[46]

The American International School of Abuja is located in the Durumi District.[47][48]

Lokogoma is a major developing district located in phase 3 of Abuja city. The district is positioned near Galadimawa to the north west, Gaduwa to the north, Apo-Dutse in the north east and Kabusa in the south. Driving into the Central Business District takes around 20 minutes.The area is primarily residential in nature. A large number of housing estates have been built in the area and further are under construction. Ring Road 2, or the Lokogoma Expressway as it is often called, is a key feature of the district. Urban expansion of Abuja from its inner core has led to considerable development in the area. The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) has affirmed commitment to improving the districts infrastructure and work is on-going. The neighborhood is a popular one with the city's middle class, given the availability of more modestly priced housing. Due to this, the population in the neighborhood has steadily grown in recent years. The increase in population has resulted in added demand for goods and services from residents. This has resulted in the establishment of a wide variety of shops and business. As of today, Lokogoma is among the most established and busiest neighborhoods in Abuja phase 3. Places of interest include Prince Ebeano Supermarket, S-Base Park and Faith Plaza.[49]

Apo Dutse is a rapidly developing district. It is located to the south of Abuja city centre. The district has seen considerable investment in recent times. A number of housing estates have been built and more are under development. Some of the best views of the city skyline can be seen from parts of the area. The Apo Dutse neighborhood is peaceful with decent infrastructure and basic public services. It receives one of the best power supplies in the whole of Abuja. It is mainly a residential neighborhood however there are commercial spaces in nearby bordering areas, for instance Gudu. There are enough social amenities in the vicinity to satisfy the needs of residents. Places of interest include Copa-Cabana, Acropolis Park, The Mechanic Village and Novare Mall. Apo is certainly becoming one of the fancier and desired neighborhoods of Abuja. It is an area filled with many beautiful houses many of which are sited in posh estates. In this neighborhood you can find both luxury and more budget friendly accommodation. Property is relatively well priced compared with districts like Maitama. However Apo is one of the most expensive outer districts given its location near these inner Abuja areas. Similar to places such as Life Camp, Apo is an excellent location for those who want to live outside busier central Abuja neighborhoods.[50]

• 
  Abuja city gate
• 
  Zuma rock
• 
  Abuja International Airport Terminal
• 
  Nigeria's National Assembly Building with the Mace
• 
  The Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• 
  Shehu Musa Yar'adua Center
• 
  Glass Dome of Shehu Musa Yar'adua Centre in Abuja
• 
  Side view of Central Bank of Nigeria, Abuja
• 
  Usman Dam, Bwari Abuja
• 
  Nigeria Senate Building (Red Chamber)
• 
  Millennium Park
• 
  Abuja Millennium Park

Abuja has witnessed a huge influx of people into the city; the growth has led to the emergence of satellite towns, such as Karu Urban Area, Suleja, Gwagwalada, Lugbe, Kuje and smaller settlements towards which the planned city is sprawling. The urban agglomeration centred upon Abuja had a population estimated at 2,440,000 in 2014.[2] The metropolitan area of Abuja was estimated in 2016 as six million persons, the country's second most populous metro area.[3] The city has a large and growing immigrant community consisting mainly of nationals from the ECOWAS sub-region. The city has been undergoing a rapid pace of physical development over the last fifteen years.

Real estate is a major driver of the Abuja economy. This correlates with the considerable growth and investment the city has seen as it has developed. The sources of this investment have been both foreign and local. The real estate sector continues to have a positive impact on the city, as it is a major avenue for employment.[51]

Abuja is served by the Nigerian Postal Service which maintains postal codes, street names and zones.[52]

Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport is the main airport serving Abuja and the surrounding capital region. It was named after Nigeria's first president, Nnamdi Azikiwe. The airport has international and domestic terminals.

Abuja Highway Panoramic

Abuja is also linked to Nasarawa, Plateau, Benue and Northeast Nigeria by the A234 Federal Highway, which starts from the city as the Goodluck Jonathan expressway, some portions of which are still under construction. A direct highway link to Minna in Niger State is still under construction. The A2 expressway links Abuja with Kaduna in the north and Lokoja in the south. There are also other highway links with the outlying region, such as that linking the suburb of Dutse Alhaji with the Lower Usuma and Gurara Dams, which supply water to the city.[53]

Cars on Sani Abacha way, Abuja

Abuja-Kubwa expressway part of the A234 highway in Nigeria

Abuja is on the route of the planned Lagos–Kano Standard Gauge Railway, which has been completed between Abuja and Kaduna. Trains for Kaduna depart from the Idu Railway Station in Abuja. There is a car park at the train station for passengers traveling to the city centre.[54] Abuja light rail system serves city's centre, Idu industrial neighbourhood and airport, opened in 2018 and became the first rapid transit in the country and in Western Africa.

Train at Idu Station Platform

Abuja Rail Mass Transit map

• African Institute of Science and Technology
• Baze University
• Nigerian Turkish Nile University
• University of Abuja
• Veritas University
• National Open University of Nigeria
• Nile University

• Whiteplains British School, Jabi
• American International School of Abuja
• Tulip college, Abuja