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The Federal Capital Territory, commonly known as the FCT, is a federal territory in central Nigeria. Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria, is located in this territory. The FCT was formed in 1976[4] from parts of the states of old Kaduna, Kwara, Niger, and Plateau states with the bulk of landmass carved out of Niger State. It is within the North Central region of the country. Unlike the states of Nigeria, which are headed by elected Governors, it is administered by the Federal Capital Territory Administration, headed by a minister appointed by the President.[5]

Federal Capital Territory
Federal territory
Flag Seal
Nicknames:  Centre of Unity
Location of Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria
Coordinates: 8°50′N 7°10′E
Country	Nigeria
Date created	3 February 1976
Capital	Abuja
Government
• Body	Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA)
• Minister[1]	Mohammed Musa Bello
• Minister of State	Ramatu Tijani Aliyu
• Permanent Secretary	Ajakaiye Babatope
• National Assembly delegation	Senator: Philips Tanimu Aduda (PDP) Representatives: List
Area
• Total	7,315 km2 (2,824 sq mi)
Population  (2006 Census)1
• Total	1,406,239
• Estimate  (2011 estimate)	2,238,800[2]
• Density	190/km2 (500/sq mi)
GDP
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (WAT)
ISO 3166 code	NG-FC
HDI (2018)	0.640[3] medium · 8th of 37
Website	fcta.gov.ng
^1 Preliminary results

History

The Federal Capital Territory also known as the FCT was created upon the promulgation of decree number 6 of 1976. It came into existence due to a need to find a replacement for the capital city of Lagos which had become congested and had little space for expansion. The area chosen as the new capital was principally Gwariland with high concentrations of Muslims and Christians and high degree of neutrality from the dominant ethnic groups. It is the least populated State in Nigeria.[6]

Decree 6 of 1976, gave the federal government rights over land within the territory. The population density prior to the takeover by the government was sparse with a population of 120,000 residents living in 840 villages and mostly of Gwari heritage.[6] Inhabitants were relocated to nearby towns like Suleja in Niger state and New Karshi in Nasarawa State on the outskirts of the territory.

Geography

The territory is located just north of the confluence of the Niger River and Benue River. It is bordered by the states of Niger to the West and North, Kaduna to the northeast, Nasarawa to the east and south and Kogi to the southwest.

Lying between latitude 8.25 and 9.20 north of the equator and longitude 6.45 and 7.39 east of Greenwich Meridian, Abuja is geographically located in the center of the country.

The Federal Capital Territory has a landmass of approximately 7,315 km², and it is situated within the savannah region with moderate climatic conditions.

Natural resources in FCT

Minerals found in the FCT include marble, tin, clay, mica, and tantalite.[7]

Wildlife

The hills of the FCT provide home to many bushbuck, forest Black duiker, bush pig, chimpanzee and red-flanked duiker. Also found in FCT woodland are leopard, buffalo, roan antelope, Western hartebeest, elephant, warthog, grey duiker, dog-faced baboon, patas monkey and green monkey.[8]

Climate

Like some northern states in Nigeria, the Federal Capital Territory is relatively cold. The nation capital city is usually very hot between three to four months annually, that is, between the months of January and April.[9] The average daily temperature of the city is above 900C, with the month of March being the hottest month. The rainy season in the state lasts between July and October of every year but the coldest month is December, during the Harmattan season.[10] During the harmattan, there is high relative humidity, coupled with windy and foggy atmosphere.

Divisions

While the Federal Capital Territory Administration administers the whole of the Federal Capital Territory, the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) specifically manages the construction and infrastructure development of the region.[11]

The territory is currently made up of six local government areas, namely:[12]

Languages

Languages of the Federal Capital Territory listed by LGA:[13]

LGA	Languages
Abaji	Dibo; Gupa-Abawa, Ebira, Ganagana
Abuja	Gade; Gbagyi, Nupe, Hausa
Bwari	Gwandara; Ashe; Gbagyi
Gwagwalada	Gbari, Egibra, Hausa
Kuje	Gade; Gbagyi
Kwali	Gwandara; Gbagyi; Ebira, Kami, Ganagana, Nupe, Hausa

Hausa is widely spoken in the Federal Capital Territory.[13]

Politics

The council was elected in the 2022 Federal Capital Territory local elections.[14]

References

External links

• Official website

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