Posted by Chinenye on Thu 11th Jun, 2026 - tori.ng
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has opened up on the extreme pressure behind funding major road developments in the nation’s capital, revealing that the struggle pushed him into fasting and persistent prayers as contractors waited and costs mounted.
(FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. Photo by Trail Reporters)
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has disclosed how he resorted to fasting and prayers in his bid to secure funds for the completion of road projects in the nation's capital.
Wike made the revelation on Thursday while speaking at the commissioning of the newly constructed Airport Expressway to Kuje road, which was performed by Vice President Kashim Shettima on behalf of President Bola Tinubu as part of activities marking the President's third anniversary in office.
The minister also revealed that the struggle to source funds for the projects took a toll on his health, contributing to episodes of hypertension.
"Your Excellency, it may interest you to know that the only thing that makes me very happy today is that we are commissioning this particular road.
"I thank the Managing Director of Arab Contractors persistently he would tell me he's in Egypt on medical condition and I would say come back because we have good hospitals to take care of you here.
"Each time I call he would say Minister, each time you call my BP will go high, and when he requests for money my BP will also go high.
"I told myself, each time you travel put this particular road as one of your requests, so that God should help us get funds to give to the contractors so that we will be able to finish the road.
"I don't use to fast before, but I started fasting from morning till night because of this particular road, but I thank God he has answered our prayers," Wike said.
He also announced plans to dualise the Kuje to Gwagwalada road, expressing confidence that the current administration would deliver on the project.