Abuja History, Tourist Attractions, Hotels & Travel Information | Nigeria travel info, tourism and attractions
North-Central Nigeria

Abuja FCT – "Centre Of unity"

Located in north-central geopolitical zone of Nigeria, Abuja FCT is a planned city built mainly in the 1980s and officially became Nigeria’s capital in 1991, replacing Lagos. The FCT is divided into six area councils which include Abuja municipal, Gwagwalada, Abaji, Kuje, Bwari and Kwali.


History
In light of the ethnic and religious divisions of Nigeria, plans had been devised since Nigeria’s independence to have its capital in a location deemed neutral to all parties.

The location was eventually designated in the centre of the country in the early 1970s as it signified neutrality and national unity. Another impetus for Abuja came because of Lagos’ population boom that made that city overcrowded and conditions squalid. The logic used was similar to how Brazil planned its new capital, Brasília.

Abuja was created in 1976 as the new Federal capital territory and the choice of the city was made due to easy accessibility, central location, favourable climate, low population density and the availability of land for future expansion. Abuja which was built mainly in the 1980s is located in the centre of Nigeria, and it officially became Nigeria’s capital in 1991 to replace Lagos.


People & Culture
Several archeological evidences have indicated that the FCT indigenes were of the Kwa language group that was predominantly found around the Niger-Benue confluence and is known to have settled in the area centuries before the incursion of the Kanuri in the jihad of the 19th century.

The largest indigenous groups in Abuja are the Gbabyi which is also known as the Gwari, follows the Koros, Gades, Egburas, Gwandaras, Bassas and the Ganaganas, all of which have deep affiliation with the Kwa language groups dominant in the present middle belt area. The city of Abuja has an estimated population of 776,298 (2006 census estimate).

Public Notice:

It is advisable to be vigilant in Abuja and some other part of Nigeria cities/towns, visitors are advised not to be careful while traveling around for safety purpose. Please seek additional advise from the Nigerian security agency.

[tab:Geography] The Federal Capital Territory has a land area of 8,000sqkm and it falls within latitude 7° 25′ N and 9° 20° North of the Equator and longitude 5° 45′ and 7° 39′. The FCT is bounded on the north by Kaduna State, on the west by Niger State, on the east and south-east by Plateau State, and on the south-west by Kogi State.
Abuja is in tune with nature with abundant hills, highlands and other distinguishing features that make it a delight to behold.

Abuja, Federal Capital Territory map

Weather/Climate
The FCT has two main seasons; the rainy season which is between April and October, and the dry season which is between November and March. The high altitude and undulating terrain of the FTC acts to provide a regulating influence on its weather. During the dry season, the typical month being March, the temperature varies between 30°C in the northeast to about 37°C in the southwest. This period is characterised by high diurnal ranges when drops of as high as 17°C may be recorded between the highest and lowest temperatures in a day. During the rainy season, temperatures drop considerably due to dense cloud cover. The annual range also drop to around 7°C, especially between July and August. The Federal Capital Territory records relative humidity, in the dry season, of some 20 per cent in the afternoon at higher elevations and at more northern locations but about 30 percent in the extreme south.


Cities & Towns
Other important cities and towns include Garki, Wuse, Asokoro, Maitama, and Lugbe.

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