The city called Abuja

Abuja is the capital city of Nigeria. It is located in the center of Nigeria, within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Abuja is a planned city, and was built mainly in the 1980s. It officially became Nigeria's capital on 12 December 1991, replacing Lagos, which is still the country's most populous city. At the 2006 census, the city of Abuja had a population of 778,567 making it one of the top ten most populous cities in Nigeria.

Abuja's geography is defined by Aso Rock, a 400-metre monolith left by water erosion. The Presidential Complex, National Assembly, Supreme Court and much of the town extend to the south of the rock.

Other sights include the Nigerian National Mosque and the Nigerian National Christian Centre. The city is served by the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, while Zuma Rock lies nearby. Abuja is known for being the best purpose-built city in Africa as well as being one of the wealthiest and most expensive; however, the population on the semi-developed edges of the city are living in rural areas such as Karu, Nasarawa State.

The 1979 master plan called for Abuja to be developed in four phases with estimated  population of about 3 million by the year 2010 and a maximum population of 4million well into the 21^st century. Phase 1 development includes the following: 

• the Central Business District, 
• the Three Arms Zone (presidency, National Assembly and Supreme Court)
•  Maitama
•  Wuse
• Garki
• Asokoro  

Most are residential districts.

The phase 2 of the master plan includes the following 5 districts:

• Kado
• Durumi
• Gudu
• Utako
• Jabi. 

The Phase 3 districts are:

•  Mabuchi
• Katampe
• Wuye
• Gwarimpa. 

There are also five suburban districts, which are Gwagwalada, Kubwa, Nyanya, Karu and Jukwoyi. Along the Airport Road on the approach to Abuja City are satellite towns, namely Lugbe, Chika, Kuchigworo and Pyakassa. Other satellite towns are Idu (the main industrial zone), Mpape, Karimu, Gwagwa, Dei-Dei (housing the International Livestock market and also International Building materials market). Most of the diplomatic missions have relocated to Abuja from Lagos having built permanent structures. The Gwarinpa District, where many of the construction companies’ “Life Camps” are located, has also been developed but lies outside the Phase 1 area and it houses a 5,000 housing scheme, the largest in West Africa. Construction service companies and enterprises continues at a fast pace in Abuja and new places open weekly Phase 2,  under development currently, involves the integration of the surrounding Katampe, Mabushi, Utako, Wuye, Durumi, Gudu. Jabbi, Duste and Gaduwa areas into the city.

Abuja is the headquarters of the Economic Community of West African States, or ECOWAS. It also has the regional headquarters of OPEC.   
Abuja City and the FCT have, and still is experiencing huge population growth; it has been reported that some areas around Abuja have been growing at 20 to 30% per year. There has been a prolific development of Squatter settlements and shanty towns on the city limits.
Both international and domestic flights arrive at the Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. .