By our reporter
Abuja, Nigeria – October 13, 2025 – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has assured that by the end of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first tenure in 2027, no judge serving within the FCT will be living in rented accommodation.
Wike gave the assurance during a public event in Abuja, where he reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving the welfare and living standards of judicial officers in the nation’s capital. According to the minister, the Federal Government is taking steps to provide permanent housing for all judges in the FCT as part of ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening the judiciary.
He said that by 2027, no judge in the FCT would be staying in rented apartments, adding that the President is committed to ensuring that judges live in dignity and security, in line with their responsibilities in upholding justice.
The announcement addresses longstanding concerns over the living conditions of judicial officers, many of whom have worked under inadequate circumstances. Legal professionals and observers have argued that poor welfare conditions, including the lack of official housing, can affect the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary.
Wike also noted that housing projects specifically designed for judges are already underway, and funding has been secured to ensure their timely completion. He explained that the initiative is not a political gesture but a deliberate policy aimed at supporting the rule of law and improving the status of the judiciary.
Legal stakeholders have welcomed the move and described it as a step in the right direction. Some have called for similar housing initiatives across other regions where judges face even more difficult working and living conditions.
The decision to eliminate rented accommodation for FCT judges fits into President Tinubu’s broader agenda of institutional reform, infrastructure development, and improved public service delivery.
As the administration approaches the midpoint of its first term, attention will now turn to the implementation of this pledge, which could set a new benchmark for judicial welfare across the country.
