Centenary City Plc has signed a landmark ₦750 billion contract with Julius Berger Nigeria Plc to kick off phase one of Abuja’s largest urban renewal project. The deal covers critical primary infrastructure, including a 4.3-kilometre access road, and secondary infrastructure across three residential districts—Grove Residences, Safari Park Residences, and Ridge Villas. Dar Al-Handasah Consultants, the firm behind the city’s 2014 master plan, will lead the engineering design. Managing Director Ike Odenigwe described the initiative as Abuja’s most ambitious development yet, poised to attract global investment and reposition the capital as a multifunctional lifestyle hub.
The project, initially conceived under former President Goodluck Jonathan but delayed by disputes and policy shifts, has regained momentum with federal backing. Odenigwe revealed plans for Africa’s tallest building, a 150-hectare Nollywood entertainment park, and 13 international hotels. He praised the Federal Capital Territory Minister, for his role in reviving the scheme and noted the government’s five percent equity through Abuja Investments Company Ltd.
Framed as a public-private partnership, the city promises inclusion through boreholes, scholarships, and resettlement housing for displaced communities. Expected to create 50,000 construction jobs and 250,000 permanent positions, Odenigwe called the project a turning point in bridging Nigeria’s infrastructure gap and attracting foreign direct investment.
