A Renewed Vision: Julius Berger Resumes Construction on Abuja Centenary City After a Decade-Long Delay

The vision of a futuristic city modeled after Dubai and Monaco in the heart of Nigeria’s capital is finally being resurrected. After a long and painful 11-year hiatus, the Abuja Centenary City project is officially back on track, following the award of a landmark N750 billion infrastructure contract to renowned construction firm Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.

The project, which was conceived in 2014 to mark Nigeria’s 100th year of existence, was hailed as a bold statement of the country’s ambition. However, it soon ran into headwinds, a fate that is common for many large-scale projects in Nigeria. According to Dr. Michael Odenigwe Jr., the Managing Director of Centenary City Plc, the major setback was “policy inconsistency” by successive governments. In addition, the project was bogged down by a number of legal and administrative delays.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Dr. Odenigwe expressed his relief that all “impediments” to the project’s full realization have now been cleared. He attributed the breakthrough to the support of the current administration, particularly the Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory and Housing and Urban Development. “With the coming of this government, we have conquered the issue of policy inconsistency because this government knows the economic value of this project,” he stated.

The contract with Julius Berger is for the development of the primary infrastructure for Phase 1 of the city. The work, which will be executed in lots, begins with Lot 1, a 4.3-kilometre plot access road and secondary infrastructure for key residential areas. The total cost of the project is estimated at N2.4 trillion, with Phase 1 alone costing N750 billion.

The Centenary City is a private-sector-driven smart city designed to be a “multifunctional lifestyle hub.” The master plan includes a range of features, from luxury serviced apartments, five-star hotels, and an international convention center to the Mall of Africa, a championship golf course, and a safari park. The project is also designed to be an economic free zone with a special regulatory framework aimed at attracting foreign direct investment.

For Abuja, the resumption of work on the Centenary City is a major win. The project is expected to create thousands of jobs and position the FCT as a global destination for investment and tourism. The partnership between the private developers and a reputable firm like Julius Berger, which has a long history of delivering high-quality projects in Nigeria, gives new hope that this long-dormant dream will finally be brought to life.