Backlash has trailed the decision of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), to attend the 2025 Asia Pacific Cities summit and Mayors’ forum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), with his two sons.
The summit, which started on Monday, is expected to end today.
The summit is an initiative of Brisbane City Council, Australia, designed to create an “unmatched platform to share and propel government and business relations and showcase the capabilities of cities to the world”.
The FCT minister left Abuja, the nation’s capital, and arrived in Dubai on Monday.
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Wike was accompanied to the summit by Richard Dauda, acting executive secretary of the federal capital development authority (FCDA); Benedict Daudu, senior special assistant to the minister on legal and multilateral cooperation; Mukhtar Galadima, director of the department of development and control; Chuks Udeh, director of engineering services; and Sani Daura, director of protocol.
The minister’s two sons — Joaquin and Jordan — are also part of his entourage.
During the summit, Wike was among the panellists who spoke on a topic: “From data-rich to data-smart: Unlocking urban intelligence for the next generation of cities”.
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On Tuesday, Lere Olayinka, Wike’s media aide, who is also attending the event, published pictures showing the FCT minister being accompanied by his two sons at the event.
“When e reach your turn, carry your enemies travel. Hissssssssssssh,” Olayinka captions the pictures.
The development elicited reactions as many Nigerians accused the FCT minister of using public funds to sponsor his children to the Dubai summit.
This is not the first time the FCT minister will face criticism over his treatment of his sons.
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In July 2025, the FCT minister denied allegations that he allocated hectares of land in Maitama and Asokoro to his sons.
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Nigeria Is Quietly Sliding Into a Political Monarchy
AdvertisementThere is nothing normal about public office gradually becoming a family affair. When state functions begin to feature children of political office holders in unofficial capacities, it signals a worrying shift in our governance… pic.twitter.com/kX1qNBRjB0
— Mimi (@Mimi_yakigar) October 29, 2025
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Serving father, and will shamelessly serve the children.
Better get a life https://t.co/sBlQslZ6nC
Advertisement— Son Of Ayo (@TheAjakeManger) October 29, 2025
Comment from my YouTube Channel
Wike is doing what Tinubu started pic.twitter.com/OfJxO9mvPHAdvertisement— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) October 29, 2025
I like the way WIKE dey do him thing make him followers know say… dem go serve Father and serve sons. https://t.co/k21wulU1uo
— M. Aurelius⚜️ (@ibkzzle0) October 28, 2025
BREAKING!!! WIKE IS USING NIGERIAN MONEY TO TAKE ALONG HIS SONS TO OFFICIAL TRIPS. If Nigeria is a working country, will this garrulous and arrogant animal take his children along anytime he travels abroad on official capacity? Unfortunately, nobody to challenge him. Animals are… pic.twitter.com/5Nceox47SY
— BUCOS (@TENIBEGILOJU202) October 29, 2025
New Tax laws that increases my taxes so that Wike can use the funds to fly his children to pointless engagements abroad that they even have no business attending https://t.co/aoXh4hChtG
— in Manitoba, on Vacation (@AnotherAnowa) October 29, 2025
