FCTA, Finland explore partnership on smart city technology, waste management

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed the administration’s readiness to partner with the Republic of Finland on infrastructure development, agriculture, smart city solutions, and modern waste management systems to support Abuja’s rapid urban growth.

Wike made the commitment on Tuesday when he received the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Sanna Selin, during a courtesy visit at his office in Abuja. The meeting reinforced both sides’ intentions to deepen bilateral cooperation in line with the Federal Government’s “Renewed Hope” agenda.

Highlighting Abuja’s expanding population and ongoing infrastructural upgrades, Wike said the FCTA is eager to tap into Finland’s global expertise in sustainable urban development.

“As a city, we are willing to cooperate with other countries to strengthen our infrastructure and agriculture. You have already indicated interest in supporting smart city technology, infrastructure, and green energy, and we are very willing to partner with you in these areas,” he said.

The Minister also assured international partners of improved security across the FCT, noting that the administration is committed to maintaining a safe and conducive environment for diplomatic and development activities.

A major area of focus during the discussion was the need to modernize the FCT’s waste management system. Acknowledging Finland’s global standing in environmental and waste-to-energy technologies, Wike invited capable Finnish firms to explore potential collaborations.

“It would be a pleasure for us to hold discussions with any firm that has the right capacity to manage our waste. That is a very key priority for us,” he added.

In her response, Ambassador Selin noted that relations between Nigeria and Finland have strengthened significantly in recent months. She emphasized Finland’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s digital transformation and expanding economic cooperation.

“Finland is one of the most digitized countries in the world, and we recently signed an MoU with Nigeria on digitalization and innovation. We are also highly advanced in water and waste management technologies, as well as circular economy solutions,” she said.

The Ambassador expressed optimism that Finland’s expertise, especially in smart city and environmental technologies, could be translated into concrete projects within the FCT, further deepening technical and economic ties between both nations.