ACCI Urges Private Sector Inclusion in Review of Abuja Master Plan
ABUJA, October 6, 2026
The Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has called for the full integration of the private sector into the ongoing comprehensive review of the Abuja Master Plan, stressing that businesses must have a direct voice in shaping the future economic, spatial and infrastructural development of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The President of ACCI, Chief Emeka Obegolu, SAN, made the call when he received a delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), in collaboration with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), led by Mr. Haruo Yamane, Executive Officer and Senior Regional Planner with RECS International Incorporation and JICA expert on industrial development.
The delegation sought the Chamber’s views on the review, which has a planning horizon to 2050. Chief Obegolu described the initiative as timely and urged the FCDA and JICA to formally incorporate ACCI and its sectoral groups into the process, stressing that “there must be a handshake between government and the private sector.”
He called for the comprehensive development of existing industrial districts, particularly the Idu Industrial Layout, through improved roads, electricity, water and other critical infrastructure, as well as the creation of additional industrial districts to accommodate future growth. He identified agriculture and agro-processing, manufacturing, furniture, garments, packaging, digital and knowledge industries, logistics, tourism and hospitality, healthcare, education and technical training, energy services, waste management and recycling, and creative and cultural industries as areas with strong economic potential.
The ACCI President also stressed the need to integrate transportation planning with industrial development through better road networks, dedicated bus corridors and improved rail connections to industrial areas, the airport and other economic centres. He further called for effective regulation to protect Abuja’s green areas, waterways and other designated spaces from encroachment, while promoting mixed-use development and affordable, accessible housing.
Also speaking, ACCI’s 1st Deputy President, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, said the revised Master Plan must reflect Abuja’s emergence as a corporate, medical, tourism, hospitality and knowledge hub. He highlighted digital and knowledge industries, logistics and distribution, tourism and events, healthcare and medical supplies, education and technical training, energy services, waste management and recycling, and creative and cultural industries as sectors requiring deliberate planning. He noted that Abuja was increasingly becoming a major medical hub in West Africa due to the growing number and quality of healthcare facilities being established in the city.
Prof. Adesugba, however, urged the review team to critically examine the implementation of the original Master Plan, particularly the deterioration of waste management systems, blocked drainage channels and encroachment on waterways and designated pathways. He stressed that waste management and recycling must remain central to the new plan, given Abuja’s population growth and expanding economic activities.
Other ACCI Executive Council members also called for greater attention to transportation development, road connectivity, properly planned market structures and other amenities required to support commercial and industrial growth. They emphasised the need for an integrated transport system linking residential communities, industrial districts, markets, the airport and other economic centres.
Earlier, FCDA Urban Regional Planner, Mr. Fashanu Okanlawon, explained that the comprehensive review was being undertaken in partnership with JICA following decades of limited and thematic reviews of the Abuja Master Plan, originally developed in 1979. He said the review covers spatial planning, transportation, economic development, private-sector participation and infrastructure, with the current economic development component focusing particularly on industrial and service development.
Mr. Yamane said the JICA team, comprising 19 experts across various fields, was committed to ensuring that economic development remained a critical component of the new Master Plan. He said the ultimate objective was to create a sustainable city where residents could live decent and productive lives, adding that private-sector input would be essential in identifying industries, products and services with strong growth potential.
The meeting ended with a brainstorming session, after which the visiting JICA-FCDA delegation requested ACCI to nominate members who would work with the review team. The Chamber assured the delegation of its readiness to provide further technical input through its sectoral groups and private-sector stakeholders as the review progresses.
Other distinguished ACCI members who participated in the meeting included the 2nd Deputy President, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong; Vice President, Finance, Dr. Iliyasu Gashinbaki; members of the Council; and other management staff of the Chamber.
Olayemi John-Mensah
ACCI Media & Strategy Officer
