Centenary City: Estate Buildings Springing Up As Roads, Other Aesthetic Constructions Intensify

From Right -Left: Prof. Okey Ikechukwu; Emir of Giwa, HRM Idris Musa; Managing Director, Centenary City Plc, Dr. Odenigwe Ike Michaels, and Representative of Julius Berger Nigeria, Johnny Kouchan at the event at Centenary City Abuja. Photo credit: Optimum Times, 21/04/2026.

After decade of abandonment, construction works have commenced in earnest at the nation’s Centenary City Abuja as its estate buildings are springing up just as roads constructions and other aesthetics are being put in place.

It would be recalled that the Centenary was Commissioned in 2014 to mark the nation’s Centenary celebration by President Goodluck Jonathan. However, its development was abandoned by former President Mohammed Buhari until the project was revisited last year, 2025.

Speaking at an event at the site, the Managing Director, Centenary City Plc, Dr. Odenigwe Ike Michaels Jr., explained that the program was “to showcase the dramatic progress in this long-awaited amazing project with the first road project and the support we are receiving from the communities who have supported us all these years.

“We also want Nigerians to see this project through the eyes of the people bringing it to life.”

He recalled that in a landmark move for Abuja’s rising profile, on 15th of August 2025, Centenary City management officially engaged Messers Julius Berger Nigeria Plc (Julius Berger) for the provision of primary infrastructure to the Centenary City (Lot 1 which is the Plot Access Road of 4.3 km) and Messers Dar Al-Handasah Consultants (DAR) to execute the Detailed Engineering Design of the entire project.

“As you all know, Centenary City is conceptualized as the foremost Abuja Urban Renewable Project. Centenary City is not just a futuristic, sustainability-focused, and pedestrian-centric master planned City it is the work of thousands of Nigerians building a new economic future.

“Every road we pave, every foundation we set, and every job we create is a step toward a livable, safe, modern community for families, professionals, and businesses.

“Centenary City presents a great opportunity to create value and raise Abuja’s profile – to encourage international investment in Abuja. The project is designed to work in harmony with nature.

“The city is conceptualized as a truly multifunctional development that offers a complete cosmopolitan lifestyle to its residents, as well as serves as a tourism hub for the wider community”, he stated.

Dr. Odenigwe further expressed gratitude to the Federal Capital Territory minister, Nyesom Wike for his wisdom in encouraging masterly and sustainable development in the nation’s capital.

He also acknowledged the support of Toge community, under the guidance of the revered Emir of Jiwa, HRM Dr. Idris Musa, MFR, on whose original land the project is taking off.

Speaking, HRM Dr. Musa expressed joy that the project has actually commence, observing that when the land was abandoned for several years, the original land owners were confused on what to do.

According to him, ” When the lands were acquired for the project and abandoned, we were confused. We could not go the land or farm on it and kept on wondering.”

Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, who has been following trends of development of the Centenary City, affirmed that the communities of the original landowners are in harmony with the developers as all compensations had been made.

He also cited that developers are extending employment opportunities to the indigenes as well as scholarships in schools.

On their part, Julius Berger Nigeria, represented by Engr. Johnny Kouchan, noted that the relationship with the Centenary City Plc is built on a strong collaboration aimed at delivering world-class infrastructure within Nigeria’s flagship smart city development.

He said so far, 35 percent of the contract had been completed while it is expected that the entire contract will be completed and commissioned by April 1st, 2027.