Chapters
Abuja
The new capital · Savanna under Aso Rock
Play AbujaEra III · Khaki to Agbada
The five ages
- 1
Democracy returns
1999–2000 · town-centre level 1On 29 May 1999 an elected president is sworn in at Eagle Square, and civilian rule returns. Abuja, the capital since December 1991, is still half built: ministries in the centre, villages and bush all round. Start with homes, markets, power and order.
- 2
Lines open
2001–2004 · town-centre level 4Mobile phones arrive in 2001. In October 2003 Abuja hosts the All-Africa Games in its new national stadium, and that December the Commonwealth leaders meet here; Queen Elizabeth II opens Millennium Park.
- 3
The master plan
2005–2007 · town-centre level 7The National Christian Centre is dedicated in October 2005, beside the National Mosque of 1984. Buildings that break the city’s master plan are pulled down, and families move out to the satellite towns.
- 4
The capital grows up
2008–2010 · town-centre level 10Towers rise in the business district, and the satellite towns grow faster than their roads and water pipes.
- 5
Naija Now
2010s · town-centre level 13 (beyond this era)The story continues in Naija Now.
People of Abuja
The figures who appear as the city grows, run by the Minister.
The Minister
That is youAppointed to finish building a capital, and answerable to the Presidency.
The surveyors
The master planThey know where every road and park was meant to go.
Portrait: fictional depiction
The okada riders
The satellite townsThey carry the capital’s workers in from the edges every morning.
Portrait: fictional depictionYour hero in battle
Helicopter gunship
Air coverFlies over walls straight to the fight. Ability: Air cover. Every unit nearby fights harder: +35% damage for 12 seconds.
The council
| Seat | Who they are | Speaks for |
|---|---|---|
| The Permanent Secretary | Runs the FCT Administration day to day | people, trade and the treasury |
| Commissioner of Police, FCT | Security | the police, the army and Peace |
| Adviser on religious affairs | Churches and mosques | Faith and faith balance |
| Education Secretary | Schools and universities | Progress and research |
| Secretary for Commerce | Markets and investors | Wealth and Unity |
| Health Secretary | Hospitals | Health |
| Adviser on power | Power and fuel | the grid |
| The Presidency | The President, who appoints the minister | whether you keep your post |
Raiders and bosses
Who comes for the city in each age. Bosses come once you are into their age. How raids work.
| Age | Raiders | Boss |
|---|---|---|
| First Democracy returns | Armed robbers | None |
| Second Lines open | Street gangs | None |
| Third The master plan | Kidnap gangs | A wave of kidnappings Gangs strike the highways |
| Fourth The capital grows up | Cult gangs | A night of riots The city burns for a night |
| Fifth Naija Now | Armed militia | None |
Soldiers
| Soldier | From level | |
|---|---|---|
| Police officer | Riot police with shields and batons. | 2 |
| Soldier | Infantry with rifles. | 3 |
| Armoured car | Hard to stop and slow to fall. | 7 |
| Marksman | One heavy shot from far away. | 10 |
Buildings
Every building Abuja can raise, shown as it looks in the middle of the story. What each type does.
People
Housing estate
Unlocks at town-centre level 1From face-me-I-face-you blocks to towers. Houses your people.
Hospital
Unlocks at town-centre level 4Raises Health, and healthy workers produce more. Raiders never touch it.
High Court
Unlocks at town-centre level 5Raises Trust and some Peace. Low Trust lets officials skim taxes.
Economy
Agro farm
Unlocks at town-centre level 1Mechanised farming and food processing. Tap it when it fills.
Cement works
Unlocks at town-centre level 1Cement for every building site in the city. Materials.
Steel works
Unlocks at town-centre level 2Iron rods and steel frames. Materials.
Cold store
Unlocks at town-centre level 1Refrigerated food storage. Raises your Food storage.
Warehouse
Unlocks at town-centre level 1Containers and building stock. Raises your Materials storage.
Bank
Unlocks at town-centre level 3Raises how much Wealth you can keep.
Market
Unlocks at town-centre level 3Umbrella stalls that grow into malls. Wealth, plus a little Unity.
NEPA power station
Unlocks at town-centre level 1The national grid’s local station. When it fails, NEPA has “taken light” and the generators start. Every building draws power.
Freight terminal
Unlocks at town-centre level 10Goods arrive by road and clear customs here. A large Wealth producer.
Culture
Church
Unlocks at town-centre level 1Raises Faith. Keep churches and mosques in balance: if one far outnumbers the other, Unity falls. Raiders never touch it.
Mosque
Unlocks at town-centre level 1Raises Faith. Keep mosques and churches in balance: if one far outnumbers the other, Unity falls. Raiders never touch it.
University
Unlocks at town-centre level 4Lecture halls that grow into a tech campus. Makes Knowledge and runs research. Raiders never touch it.
Stadium
Unlocks at town-centre level 4Match days and concerts. Raises Unity. A big enough stadium can host the Africa Cup of Nations.
Air base
Unlocks at town-centre level 7A helipad and hangar. Brings the helicopter gunship to your forces.
The National Stadium
Unlocks at town-centre level 8Built for the All-Africa Games of October 2003. Heritage for the ladder.
Defence
Police station
Unlocks at town-centre level 3Raises Peace and keeps robbers off the streets.
Security post
Unlocks at town-centre level 2A floodlit post behind sandbags that fires on attackers.
Security wall
Unlocks at town-centre level 4Concrete walls with razor wire and cameras, section by section.
Checkpoint
Unlocks at town-centre level 4A manned barrier where an avenue crosses the security wall.
Armoured unit
Unlocks at town-centre level 10Armoured vehicles behind sandbags. Hits hard, reloads slowly.
Army
Army barracks
Unlocks at town-centre level 2Each level holds more soldiers.
Industrial park
Unlocks at town-centre level 5Factories and workshops. Raises Progress.
Landmarks
Millennium Park
Unlocks at town-centre level 4The capital’s largest park, opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 4 December 2003. Unity, Health and visitors.
Eagle Square
Unlocks at town-centre level 6The parade ground where the president was sworn in on 29 May 1999. Unity and events.
National Christian Centre
Unlocks at town-centre level 8The national church, dedicated on 2 October 2005. Unity and Faith.
National Mosque
Unlocks at town-centre level 11The golden dome and four minarets completed in 1984. Unity and Faith.
Research
| Technology | Branch | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Improved seed | Farming | Better seed and fertiliser: +10% Food. |
| Cold chains | Farming | Less food spoils on the way: +15% Food storage. |
| Irrigation | Farming | Year-round farming: +15% Food. |
| Agro-processing | Farming | More value from every harvest: +20% Food. |
| Building codes | Building | Fewer collapses, faster approvals: builds 8% faster. |
| Steel frames | Building | Taller and stronger: buildings +10% sturdier. |
| Local cement | Building | Cheaper materials: builds cost 8% less. |
| Prefab towers | Building | Factory-built floors: builds 10% faster. |
| Police training | Defence | Better trained officers: +8% damage. |
| CCTV network | Defence | Cameras on every post: posts +12% damage. |
| Body armour | Defence | Better protection: +12% unit health. |
| Drones | Defence | Eyes in the sky: +12% damage. |
| Instant payments | Trade | Transfers in seconds: +10% Wealth. |
| Ease of business | Trade | Fewer forms and fees: +12% Wealth. |
| Free trade zone | Trade | Investors and exporters move in: +20% Wealth. |
| Teacher training | Learning | Better teachers: +15% Knowledge. |
| Tech hubs | Learning | Coders and start-ups: research 15% faster. |
| Research labs | Learning | Universities that invent: +20% Knowledge. |
| Festival calendar | Heritage | Concerts, carnivals and festivals: Faith and Unity rise. |
| Nollywood studios | Heritage | Films for the whole continent: Heritage. |
| Afrobeats on the world stage | Heritage | The city’s sound goes global: Heritage. |
| Fintech signature | Heritage | Signature tech. Money moves by phone: Knowledge and Progress. |
| Urban rail signature | Defence | Signature tech. Trains link the districts: walls and posts 25% stronger. |
Did you know?
- Abuja became Nigeria’s capital on 12 December 1991.
- The president was sworn in at Eagle Square on 29 May 1999.
- Abuja hosted the All-Africa Games in October 2003.
- Queen Elizabeth II opened Millennium Park on 4 December 2003, during the Commonwealth meeting in Abuja.
- The National Christian Centre was dedicated on 2 October 2005; the National Mosque was completed in 1984.
- Nigeria returned to civilian rule on 29 May 1999, after more than fifteen years of military government.
- Commercial mobile phone service began in Nigeria in August 2001.
- NEPA, the National Electric Power Authority, became PHCN in 2005.
- By the end of 2005 every bank needed ₦25 billion in capital, and 89 banks became 25.
- Nigeria marked fifty years of independence on 1 October 2010.