By Charles Abere
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is seeking a partnership with the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to drive green city initiatives, with climate resilience, urban sustainability, and low-carbon development at the core of the talks, officials said Monday.
The proposed collaboration comes as the FCT Administration intensifies efforts to reposition Abuja as a climate-smart capital through urban greening, sustainable infrastructure, and reduced environmental footprint. FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has made “green city” development a policy priority, backing projects such as the 200-hectare “City Walk Abuja” and opening the territory to eco-friendly mixed-use and mass housing investments.
Saudi Arabia’s interest reflects its own Vision 2030 “Quality of Life” Program, which aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals to build sustainable cities and communities while driving urgent climate action. Riyadh is currently convening global experts at its “Sustainable City Symposium” to guide large-scale projects including the world’s largest urban parks, a citywide tree-planting campaign of 7.5 million trees, and a 135km sports corridor designed to cut emissions and improve livability.
Discussions with the FCT are expected to cover knowledge exchange on urban forestry, renewable energy integration, green building standards, and climate-adaptive public infrastructure. Both sides see sustainable cities as central to meeting emissions targets and building resilience against extreme weather, flooding, and heat challenges facing Abuja and other fast-growing African capitals.
“For Riyadh and its citizens, the ultimate goal is to create a more sustainable city and a thriving, active community in the long term, while acting against climate change concerns,” experts at the Riyadh symposium noted. Similar outcomes are being targeted for Abuja through the proposed partnership.
Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has previously said Saudi-Nigeria cooperation will advance job creation and economic growth, with sustainability now emerging as a key pillar of that relationship.
Specific project timelines, financing, and technical frameworks for the FCT-Saudi green city agenda are expected to be outlined as bilateral talks progress.
