Diamond Ilori, founder of Wardiere Oakmount Developments, has called on private developers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to adopt structured and sustainable urban development strategies, ensuring their projects comply with government regulations and embrace the “master community” model.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Ilori praised the reforms being implemented by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to restore order in land administration and development control, describing them as corrective measures rather than punitive actions.

“The FCT is our national capital. There should be a well-organized and properly followed plan. What the Minister is doing should be seen as a correction, not a punishment. We cannot afford to let Abuja become like Lagos where everyone builds whatever they like,” Ilori said.

He emphasized the importance of developers complying with the Land Use Act, paying ground rent, and perfecting their title documents to avoid land revocation or demolition.

“Once you are regularized and get documentation from the FCDA, you must keep paying ground rent. It’s a legal obligation, not an imposition,” he added.

Ilori also urged the government to increase sensitization on land regularization and compliance, noting that many violations occur due to ignorance rather than deliberate disobedience.

Professionalizing Real Estate Development
To further improve the sector, Ilori proposed creating a Real Estate Regulatory Authority similar to Dubai’s RERA, which certifies agents, monitors developers, and enforces standards.

“If such a system exists, every developer and agent would need certification before operating. It will bring order, professionalism, and protect investors,” he said.

He highlighted that ongoing disputes in FCT’s land regularization drive often arise because landholders fail to update their documents with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).

“Some people have titles issued by area councils but not recorded in the FCDA system. Development control sees such plots as empty and reallocates them. Proper regularization would prevent this,” Ilori explained.

Promoting Master Communities
Ilori stressed that development control agencies prioritize large-scale, integrated communities over scattered small plots because they support better planning and infrastructure.

“Small plots of 2,000 square meters cannot support schools or hospitals. The government prefers consolidated communities where essential services are integrated within defined spaces,” he said.

Drawing from his experience in Dubai, Ilori highlighted his company’s ongoing projects in Abuja as examples of master communities, self-contained developments combining residential areas with schools, hospitals, parks, shopping malls, and public transport systems.

“Our goal is to build ecosystems, not just estates. Every component—housing, transport, leisure, and retail—supports the other. The estate will have its own buses, city center, and malls. These make life easier for residents while generating income that sustains the community,” he said, citing The Valley, a Wardiere Oakmount project in Kuje.

Ilori stressed that these developments are not elitist settlements, but designed to improve daily life and long-term value for residents.

“When you solve daily challenges like transport and shopping within the estate, you make communities more livable,” he said.

He also highlighted the Al Barari project, created by consolidating smaller parcels into a master community, with 40 percent dedicated to green areas, parks, and water bodies.

“We are ensuring a balance between environmental sustainability and urban growth. Unlike many concrete-heavy estates, Al Barari will remain green and compliant with FCDA guidelines,” Ilori said.

Finally, he urged diaspora Nigerians to adopt the same discipline and planning standards they see abroad when investing at home.

“Diaspora Nigerians should not just build houses; they should build organized communities. That’s how to grow our cities sustainably and make Abuja truly world-class,” he concluded.