Jabi Lake: We’re not against redevelopment, CSOs tell FCTA

A coalition of civil society organisations, rights groups, residents and informal economy workers on Tuesday declared that it was not opposed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s redevelopment of the Jabi Lake Recreational Park but urged the government to ensure that the project is implemented transparently and in a manner that protects the livelihoods of hundreds of informal workers who depend on the facility.

The coalition, led by Accountability Lab Nigeria in partnership with the Federation of Informal Workers’ Organisation of Nigeria (FIWON) and the Solidarity Centre, made the call during a peaceful demonstration at the park in Abuja, insisting that urban renewal should be pursued through an open, accountable and inclusive process that balances development with social justice.

The protest comes months after the FCTA, under the leadership of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in February 2026 with Akida Hills Ltd. and Suburban Broadband Limited to redevelop the park as part of the administration’s urban renewal programme.

The FCTA has consistently maintained that the redevelopment is aimed at transforming Jabi Lake Recreational Park into a world-class leisure and tourism destination capable of attracting investment, boosting tourism and creating employment opportunities.

While acknowledging the government’s development objectives, the coalition said the process has raised concerns over the absence of public consultation, limited access to information on the concession agreement and the potential impact of the project on traders, vendors and other informal workers whose businesses have operated at the park for years.

Carrying placards with inscriptions calling for transparency, accountability and social justice, the protesters also disclosed that they had petitioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, the National Assembly, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), urging them to examine aspects of the redevelopment process.

Speaking during the protest, the Country Director of Accountability Lab Nigeria, Friday Odey, stressed that the coalition fully supports the redevelopment of the park but believes the interests of affected citizens must be protected.

“We are not against the development of this park. We are saying there should be a social protection plan for the informal workers. They have a right to be consulted because this park has been their source of livelihood for many years,” he said.

According to Odey, one of the coalition’s major demands is the publication of the Memorandum of Understanding governing the redevelopment to enable Nigerians to understand the terms of the agreement.

“Everybody has a right to know. Nigerians have the right to know. Publish the Memorandum of Understanding so citizens can understand what has been agreed and engage in an informed conversation,” he said.

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He also called for greater openness regarding the procurement process that culminated in the concession of the park, saying transparency would strengthen public confidence in the project.

Odey disclosed that Accountability Lab Nigeria had submitted requests under the Freedom of Information Act seeking details of the redevelopment agreement but had yet to receive an official response.

“As law-abiding citizens, we have followed the legal process by filing Freedom of Information requests. We expect the government to respond because citizens have a legal right to access public information,” he added.

Addressing the protesters, Odey noted that Jabi Lake Recreational Park, commissioned in 2007 under the Abuja Master Plan, has remained one of the capital city’s major public recreational facilities serving residents, families, tourists and businesses.

He said although the coalition understood that the FCTA had entered into an agreement with private developers for the management and redevelopment of the park, making the terms of the agreement public would promote transparency, accountability and public trust.

He further urged the authorities to engage traders, informal workers and other stakeholders whose livelihoods may be affected by the redevelopment, stressing that development should not exclude those who have long depended on the facility for their economic survival.

Also speaking, Blessing Yusuf of the Federation of Informal Workers’ Organisation of Nigeria (FIWON) called for the temporary suspension of demolition, fencing and construction activities pending wider consultation with affected stakeholders.

“Our demand is the immediate suspension of all demolition, fencing and construction works until there is full public consultation, legal review and transparency around the project,” she said.

Yusuf also urged the authorities to publish the Memorandum of Understanding with the developers, conduct an independent Environmental Impact Assessment before further construction, guarantee that the park remains affordable and accessible to the public after redevelopment and provide adequate compensation and support for traders and small business owners whose livelihoods have been disrupted.

According to her, Jabi Lake Recreational Park has, for nearly two decades, served not only as a recreational destination but also as an important economic hub for hundreds of informal workers and tourism-related businesses in the Federal Capital Territory.

In a statement issued during the demonstration, the coalition reaffirmed its support for the redevelopment of Jabi Lake Recreational Park but maintained that the process must comply with the principles of transparency, accountability, environmental sustainability and public participation.

The coalition called on the FCTA to publish the Memorandum of Understanding, disclose relevant procurement documents, release land ownership records associated with the project, make public any Environmental Impact Assessment conducted on the redevelopment and broaden consultations with affected stakeholders before work progresses further.

It also urged the administration to guarantee that the redeveloped park remains affordable and publicly accessible while establishing adequate compensation and social protection measures for traders, informal workers and other small business owners affected by the ongoing redevelopment.

The coalition said it had requested a response from the relevant authorities within 21 days, expressing optimism that constructive engagement would ensure the successful redevelopment of the park while protecting the interests and livelihoods of citizens who depend on the facility.