The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration has formally appealed to the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for support in accessing dedicated funding to accelerate infrastructural development in Abuja.
This request was made during a strategic meeting between FCT officials and members of the RMAFC Indices and Disbursement Committee, held in Abuja. The meeting was convened to address the urgent funding needs of the nation’s capital, which is grappling with an infrastructure gap exacerbated by rapid population growth.
Speaking at the event, FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, underscored the strain that Abuja’s growing population has placed on available infrastructure. He disclosed that the city’s population has ballooned to over six million—more than double the number projected in the original Abuja master plan.
“Abuja is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world, with an annual population growth rate estimated between 7 and 9 percent,” Bello said. “This growth has far outpaced the infrastructure provisions planned decades ago, and we are now in urgent need of sustainable financing to complete essential projects, particularly in transportation, housing, and public utilities.”
The Minister expressed concern that the current financial structure—under which the FCT receives just 1% of revenue from the Federation Account—is insufficient to meet the capital’s unique needs. He appealed to RMAFC to consider a special funding mechanism that reflects Abuja’s dual role as a federal territory and a state-like entity under Section 299 of the Nigerian Constitution.
Responding to the FCT’s appeal, Chairman of the RMAFC Indices and Disbursement Committee, Dr. Chris Akomas, acknowledged the challenges and pledged that the Commission would give serious consideration to the proposal. He revealed that RMAFC is already reviewing the nation’s revenue allocation formula and will factor in the FCT’s peculiar status during its deliberations.
“We are aware of the pressures on the FCT, and this engagement is timely. The Commission is currently working on a new revenue-sharing formula that seeks to ensure equity and fairness across all tiers of government, including the FCT,” Dr. Akomas stated.
According to a recent RMAFC proposal presented to the Presidency, the new revenue-sharing formula recommends reducing the Federal Government’s share from 52.68% to 45.17%, while increasing the allocations for states and local governments to 29.79% and 21.04% respectively. The FCT’s allocation from special funds is also expected to rise from 1% to 1.2%.
The FCT Administration’s push for enhanced funding comes at a time when the city’s infrastructure is under intense strain, with major roads, mass transit systems, and water supply networks in need of expansion and rehabilitation. The Administration believes that timely support from RMAFC and other stakeholders will be pivotal in ensuring the city remains functional, sustainable, and reflective of its status as Nigeria’s capital.
