The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained that the FCT Administration cannot complete the long-abandoned Millennium Tower project because of the estimated ₦300 billion to ₦400 billion required by the contractor.

Speaking after inspecting ongoing projects in Abuja on Thursday, Wike said funding the iconic structure from the FCTA’s statutory budget would cripple other critical infrastructure projects across the capital city.

He described the Millennium Tower, conceived during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, as a national monument with significant tourism potential, stressing that it should be treated as a federal government project rather than an FCTA responsibility.

According to the minister, he has already opened discussions with President Bola Tinubu on taking over the project at the national level to ensure it is completed instead of remaining an abandoned landmark.

The Millennium Tower was designed to serve as a major cultural and tourism hub in Abuja, featuring a cultural centre, museum and other visitor attractions, but has remained unfinished for decades.