# Abuja: The Planned Capital

> Abuja was chosen as Nigeria's federal capital in 1976 on the recommendation of a panel led by Justice Akinola Aguda, seeking a centrally located, ethnically neutral site to replace overcrowded Lagos. American firm International Planning Associates authored the 1979 master plan, later refined by Kenzo Tange for the Central Area, before government formally relocated to Abuja on 12 December 1991.

**Category:** Architecture & Urban Development · **Updated:** 2026-07-26 19:36:35 · **Canonical:** https://nigeriastuff.org/a/abuja-planned-capital

## Key facts
- **Relocation decree:** Decree No. 6 of 1976, enacted 4 February 1976
- **Site-selection panel:** Chaired by Justice Akinola Aguda, established August 1975
- **Master-plan authors:** International Planning Associates (IPA) — Planning Research Corporation, Wallace McHarg Roberts & Todd, and Archisystems — commissioned June 1977
- **Central Area design:** Kenzo Tange & Associates, engaged from 1979
- **Official capital relocation:** 12 December 1991, under President Ibrahim Babangida
- **Governing authority:** Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), headed by a ministerial appointee
- **Local government units:** Six Area Councils
- **As of:** 24 July 2026

## Sources
- The History of Abuja — Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) (https://fcda.gov.ng/the-history-of-abuja/)
- Why Abuja Became Nigeria's Capital: The 1976 Military Decree — Historical Nigeria (https://historicalnigeria.com/why-abuja-became-nigerias-capital-the-1976-military-decree/)
- How the Abuja master plan was designed by Kenzo Tange, a Japanese architect — Soluap (https://soluap.com/how-abuja-master-plan-was-designed-by-kenzo-tange-a-japanese-architect/)
- About — Federal Capital Territory Administration — Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) (https://fcta.gov.ng/about/)
- The Villa — State House, Federal Republic of Nigeria (https://statehouse.gov.ng/presidential-villa/the-villa/)
- The Historic 1991 Move From Lagos to Abuja — Awijare (https://awijare.com/2025/12/12/move-from-lagos-to-abuja-1991-history/)

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