FCT AND THE ORIGINAL INHABITANTS

Abuja is not just the capital of Nigeria. It is the ancestral home of the Amwamwa, Bassa, Egbira, Gade, Ganagana, Gbagyi, Gbari, Gwandara and Koro.

They’re the original custodians of their lands. They’re rich in culture, rooted in history, and still fighting for justice. For centuries, Abuja’s original inhabitants have lived in harmony with their lands. Today, they remain among the most excluded. Thus, we commemorate the 2025 United Nations International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples with the theme: “Empowering Indigenous Voice: Promoting Indigenous Rights and Preserving 

Culture”.  This theme resonates powerfully—not only with the global indigenous struggle—but with the lived realities of the original inhabitants of the Federal Capital Territory.

We also commend the voices of the MacArthur Foundation for their unwavering support and commitment to advancing human rights, equity, and inclusive governance. Through their partnership, we are able to create spaces where silenced 

voices can speak, where erased histories can be reclaimed, and where marginalized communities can find

solidarity and strength.

We must remember that indigenous people’s rights are not peripheral—they are central to any society that claims to be democratic and just. Empowering Indigenous communities is not a favour—it is a constitutional and moral 

obligation. And preserving Indigenous culture is not nostalgia—it is a strategy for sustainable development rooted in wisdom, resilience, and diversity. 

Let us listen deeply to the voices that 

have long been ignored. Let us commit to building a future where indigenous peoples are not just remembered 

but respected; not just consulted, but empowered.

May today’s conversations ignite action. May they inspire policy. And may they restore dignity to FCT Original Inhabitants whose stories deserve to be heard, honoured and upheld.

Dr. Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, Executive Director, Resource Centre for Human Rights and Civil Education (CHRICED)