By Ogunbayi Beedee Adeyemi October 29, 2025
adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has drawn sharp criticism from Nigerians after attending the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities Summit and Mayors’ Forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, with his two sons listed as official delegates allegedly at taxpayer expense.
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Photos and videos circulating on social media from the event, which kicked off on October 27, show Wike’s sons, Jordan and Joaquin, sporting delegate badges alongside their father and other Nigerian officials. The summit, themed “Resilient Cities for Tomorrow,” focuses on urban development, sustainability, and smart city innovations, drawing mayors and planners from over 50 countries.
Wike, a key ally of President Bola Tinubu and former Rivers State governor, led the Nigerian delegation to explore partnerships for Abuja’s infrastructure growth, including tourism and green urban projects. In a statement via his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Lere Olayinka, the minister highlighted discussions on “transformative collaborations” with UAE counterparts to position the FCT as a global hub.
However, the inclusion of his teenage sons has ignited accusations of nepotism and fiscal irresponsibility, especially amid Nigeria’s economic hardships marked by 34% inflation and widespread poverty. Critics argue the move mirrors patterns in the Tinubu administration, where the president’s son, Seyi, has been spotted at high-profile events like the 2023 COP28 climate summit in Dubai.
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Outrage erupted on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook shortly after the images surfaced. One user, @BigOnukwugha, fumed: “When ministers replace career officials with family members at international events, it weakens institutional growth and professionalism. Think about your life, bro.” Another, @rollinsonwali, lambasted the broader governance style: “They mock the people funding their lifestyle, then still tax them to maintain it. It’s sad and wicked.”
Civil society activists piled on. The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) condemned the practice as “a blatant abuse of public trust,” demanding a probe into the delegation’s funding and composition. “In a nation where civil servants struggle for basic allowances, sending sons on junkets is indefensible,” SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, told reporters.
The uproar evokes the 2023 COP28 scandal, where Nigeria sent 1,411 delegates including Seyi Tinubu, chefs, and stewards at an estimated N2.5 billion cost, sparking Senate probes and public fury. Wike himself attended that event, but his sons were not listed. Analysts see this as an escalation in perceived “family-style governance” under Tinubu, where loyalty networks extend to personal circles.
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Opposition figures seized the moment. PDP spokesperson Deji Chutus labeled it “elite capture of public resources,” urging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate. Even within the APC, whispers of discomfort emerged, with one anonymous senator noting, “Wike’s bravado is admirable, but optics matter in tough times.”
Defenders, including Wike’s aides, dismissed the backlash as “politically motivated envy.” Olayinka argued the sons were there for “educational exposure” and not salaried roles, insisting all costs were transparent and aligned with diplomatic norms. “The minister is building the next generation of leaders hate all you want,” he posted on X.
This incident unfolds against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny on Tinubu’s cabinet, fresh off Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II’s recent call for aides to shun sycophancy and prioritize fiscal prudence. With the 2026 budget looming, critics warn such extravagances could fuel anti-government sentiment, especially as youth unemployment hits 53% and food prices soar.
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The summit concludes today, with Wike expected to brief the Senate on outcomes next week. As Nigeria pushes for UAE investments in Abuja’s metro and tourism sectors, the delegation drama risks overshadowing potential gains. For now, it stands as a flashpoint in the ongoing debate: Is this savvy networking or symptomatic waste?
DDNewsOnline, Abuja
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