By Queen Kunde
AIBEN Investment and Properties Limited has launched its multi-billion naira commercial complex, CitiMall, in Lugbe, Abuja, positioning the facility as a game-changer for commerce, leisure, and real estate development in Nigeria’s capital.
The project, which features over 60 retail outlets, premium office spaces, restaurants, and the upscale Bourdillon Hotel with 60 elegantly furnished suites, is designed as a one-stop hub for shopping, business, and leisure.
At the unveiling, Chief Dr. Andy Elerewe, Chief Executive Officer of AIBEN Properties, urged the Federal Government to prioritize infrastructure development to unlock more private sector investment in real estate and commercial ventures.
“It’s not so easy because the infrastructure is not there to support things like this. But we’ll continue to do the best we can to support the government and deliver services to the people,” Elerewe said.
He emphasized that projects like CitiMall could multiply across Nigeria, creating jobs and reducing urban pressure if the right infrastructure was in place.
Calling on investors to look beyond Abuja’s city centre, Elerewe said satellite towns like Lugbe offered untapped opportunities and growing populations eager for development. He stressed that CitiMall was designed to improve convenience and quality of life, bringing essential services closer to residents’ doorsteps.
Former lawmaker, Hon. Emmanuel Ekon, who attended the event, backed the call for better infrastructure, while urging government to ensure tax revenues are channeled into essential services that support business growth.
“I am not against taxes, but I’m against collecting taxes and we don’t know where the money is going. Government must provide the necessary infrastructure to enable businesses like this to thrive,” Ekon said.
Elerewe also advised Nigerian youths to embrace resilience, hard work, and long-term vision rather than chasing quick wealth, insisting that ventures like CitiMall prove that patience and persistence pay off.
With CitiMall now open, residents of Lugbe and its environs can access retail, hospitality, and leisure services without traveling long distances into the city centre, marking a new chapter in satellite town development in Abuja.