…As City attracts Electric Vehicle Plant

By Emma Ujah, Abuja Bureau Chief 

Estate Developers from Abuja, Lagos and Port-Harcourt and other parts of the country are now scrambling to be part of the development of the Abuja Centenary City.

A coliseum organised by the management of the Centenary City, on the over 1, 300 hectares of land, this afternoon, witnessed an array of estate development giants who rushed to pick up forms for Expression of Interest.

Centenary City is a 15-minute, Smart City conceptualised as the foremost Abuja Urban Renewable Project. 

The city is sponsored by Centenary City Plc, a consortium of 40 local and international private entities (with 95% equity), while the Federal Government, through Abuja Investment Company Limited, has 5% equity.

It was master planned personally by the Chairman of Emaar, Sheikh Mohammed Alabbar, with Eagle Hills International as its first strategic partner.

Addressing the estate developers and other investors, the Managing Director (MD), Dr. Mike Odenigwe, said, “The idea of engaging reputable developers is to guarantee the development of the city according to the vision reflected in the original master plan.

“Centenary City Project presents a great opportunity to create value and raise Abuja’s profile – to encourage international investment in Abuja. 

“The project is designed to work in harmony with nature. The districts and communities are designed to fit in among the natural landscape, offering both an impressive downtown skyline and peaceful suburban living.

“The city is conceptualised as a truly multifunctional development that offers a complete cosmopolitan lifestyle to its residents, as well as serves as a tourism hub for the wider community.”

Some of the key components of Centenary City include: Five Star Hotels, Luxury Serviced Apartments and Residences; International Commerce Centre (ICC); Centenary International Convention Center (CICC); Mall of Africa; Championship Golf Course and Golf Estate; Championship Polo Courses and Polo Estate.

Others are Nigeria Park; Safari Park; Industrial Park; Free Zone Business Area; African Arts Museum; Intertainment District, Amusement Park; Various Healthcare and Educational facilities, as well as extensive and broad variety of residential dwellings.

According to the MD, “After a pause in the development and construction, the project is now back on track with the promise to redefine sub-Saharan Africa’s skyline and enhance Nigeria’s global standing in urban development.

“We are delighted to acknowledge the visionary leadership of His Excellency, Barr. Nysom Wike, the Hon. Minister of FCT, who in his wisdom, has encouraged masterly and sustainable development in FCT.” 

He said that the management was proud of its long-standing partnership with Julius Berger and Dar Al-Handasah (DAR) and was committed to working with their expert teams to finalise the primary infrastructure of Centenary Economic City Free Zone in line with the Board of Directors’ vision to provide state-of-the-art infrastructure as well as seamless, safe and sustainable smart city solutions. 

“We are also proud of our recent partners Fifth Chukker (who is planning two Polo Fields, Polo Estate, Club House and Stables on about 45 hectares of Land)”

Electric Vehicles 

Dr. Odenigwe revealed that Hybrid Motors was planning an EV Manufacturing plant, Acely®️ brand on 3 to 5 hectares.

He added that, “We are also speaking to Fifth Chukker and other partners on a Championship Golf Course, Golf Estate, 5-Star Hotel to house the 19th Hole, and 739 stand-alone and mixed units on 192 hectares of land.

” The Golf course and Golf Estate alone are designed to sit on 65 hectares.”

The MD added, “The way we live, work, and socialise is evolving, and mixed-use developments like Centenary City are leading the charge. These innovative communities combine residential, commercial, and recreational spaces into a single, walkable environment. 

“With urban centres expanding and consumer preferences shifting toward convenience and accessibility, this unique mixed-use development is redefining modern real estate.

Sustainability

“By blending housing, workplaces, shops, restaurants, cultural venues, and parks into one walkable community, Centenary City promises a smarter, healthier, and more humane way to live – helping solve many of the pressing economic, social, and environmental challenges we face.

“Centenary City chips away at the things that feed climate change through simple daily choices. IT’S A 15-MINUTE CITY – When people can walk to work, pick up groceries around the corner, or take their kids to school without driving, car trips drop dramatically. This means fewer emissions, cleaner air, and less dependence on fossil fuels.”

The Sales Director, Mr. Kenneth Njoku, provided the First Movers Advantage, giving details of the benefits derivable from early investment. 

According to him, early investors would enjoy a massive discount and be required to pay only 30 per cent of the value of the land and be granted a one-year moratorium.   

He added that after the moratorium,  such buyers would be allowed to provide a payment plan of up to three years.

The idea he explained was to encourage developers to immediately commence building, rather than spending the entire funds on just acquiring land.