Areas in Abuja: Full List of Districts and Area Councils

Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, is divided into six area councils: Abuja Municipal (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and Abaji. The city itself sits inside AMAC and was built in phases. Phase 1 is Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse, Wuse 2, Garki, Guzape and the Central Area; Phase 2 includes Utako, Jabi, Mabushi, Katampe, Jahi, Kado, Wuye, Durumi, Gudu, Gaduwa and Apo; Phase 3 includes Gwarinpa, Life Camp, Galadimawa and Lokogoma. Around the city are the satellite towns — Kubwa, Lugbe, Karu, Nyanya, Gwagwalada and Kuje. This guide lists them all and says what each is like.

The six area councils of Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory has area councils, not local government areas. Abuja Municipal Area Council holds the planned city and the southern and eastern satellite towns. Bwari covers the north, including Kubwa and Bwari town. Gwagwalada and Kuje lie to the west and south-west of the city, and Kwali and Abaji follow the Lokoja road to the southern tip of the territory. Title to land anywhere in the territory comes from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory through the FCT Administration; papers issued by an area council alone need regularising, which is covered in buying land in Abuja.

Phase 1 districts: the city core

Maitama is the most prestigious district, low-density and leafy, home to embassies and the wealthiest households. Asokoro, beside the Presidential Villa, is the government quarter, equally expensive and quieter still; the two are compared in Maitama vs Asokoro.

Wuse, laid out in numbered zones around Wuse Market, is one of the oldest and busiest districts, and Wuse 2 is its upmarket neighbour, the restaurant, hotel and office hub of the city. Garki, divided into numbered areas, is the older, more affordable central district, close to the ministries. The Central Area is offices and national institutions, not housing, and Guzape, on the hills beside Asokoro, is the newest of the core districts, with large new houses. Phase 1 suits diplomats, senior officials and anyone who wants the shortest commute.

Phase 2 districts: the mid-market ring

Jabi, around Jabi Lake and its mall, is lively and popular with young professionals. Utako next to it is practical and mixed-use, known for its market and inter-city bus terminals. Mabushi is compact, with offices and gated estates, and Wuye is a newer residential district beside Utako.

Katampe — Katampe Main and Katampe Extension — offers modern estates and large houses close to Maitama at a lower price. Jahi is a fast-built district of new flats and terraces, and Kado, with its estates and fish market, is the established link between Jabi and Gwarinpa.

South of the centre, Durumi and Gudu sit beside Garki at a step below its prices. Apo is large and varied — the Legislative Quarters, a resettlement area, a mechanic village and newer estates — and Gaduwa beyond it is quiet and full of new-build flats and townhouses. Phase 2 suits professionals and families who want newer housing a short drive from the core.

Phase 3 districts: the outer city

Gwarinpa is the largest housing estate in the city, a district in itself, with everything from flats to large detached houses and its own commercial avenues; see houses for rent in Gwarinpa. Life Camp, beside it, is calmer and lower in density, a favourite of families and expatriate staff.

Galadimawa, known for its roundabout, offers newer affordable housing with good access to the centre and the airport. Lokogoma is built almost entirely of gated estates and is one of the fastest-growing districts, with Kabusa, Wumba and Dakwo around it. Newer districts further out, such as Karsana beyond Gwarinpa, are mostly estates under construction and land. Phase 3 suits first-time buyers and families who want space and will accept a longer drive.

Satellite towns by area council

In AMAC: Lugbe, along Airport Road, is the largest affordable estate area close to the city. Karu, Nyanya and Jikwoyi, on the eastern side along the Keffi road, are dense, low-cost commuter towns; Mararaba and New Karu, which follow them, are in Nasarawa State. Gwagwa, Karmo and Idu are the western communities near the rail station and the industrial area.

In Bwari: Kubwa is the largest satellite town, popular with civil servants and served by the Kubwa Expressway and the rail line. Dutse Alhaji, Dawaki and Mpape are closer to the city, and Bwari town and Ushafa are further north.

In the other area councils: Gwagwalada is a university town, home to the University of Abuja and its teaching hospital, with Zuba at the junction north of it. Kuje is a growing town reached from Airport Road, with some of the cheapest land near the city, and Kwali and Abaji are small towns on the Lokoja road, largely agricultural.

Indicative annual rents by district

These are indicative asking ranges for a full year for a 2-bedroom flat. Serviced estates with steady power sit at the top of each range.

• Wuse 2: ₦2,000,000 – ₦6,000,000 per annum
• Utako: ₦1,800,000 – ₦3,500,000 per annum
• Jahi and Life Camp: ₦1,200,000 – ₦2,500,000 per annum
• Katampe: ₦1,000,000 – ₦2,500,000 per annum
• Apo: ₦900,000 – ₦2,000,000 per annum
• Gudu: ₦800,000 – ₦1,800,000 per annum
• Galadimawa: ₦700,000 – ₦1,600,000 per annum
• Gaduwa: ₦400,000 – ₦1,200,000 per annum
• Lokogoma and Lugbe: ₦400,000 – ₦900,000 per annum
• Kubwa: ₦250,000 – ₦700,000 per annum
• Gwagwalada: ₦200,000 – ₦350,000 per annum

The move-in costs are set out in renting in Abuja and the Abuja rent cost guide. To see what is on the market now, browse properties in Abuja, flats for rent in Abuja or houses for rent in Gwarinpa. Landlords and agents can list an Abuja property on Cabans free.

Frequently asked questions

How many area councils are in Abuja?

The Federal Capital Territory has six area councils: Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and Abaji. The FCT has area councils rather than local government areas. The planned city and most of its districts are inside AMAC.

What are the Phase 1 districts in Abuja?

Phase 1 is the original core of the Federal Capital City: the Central Area, Garki, Wuse, Wuse 2, Maitama, Asokoro and Guzape. It holds the ministries, the Three Arms Zone, most embassies and the most expensive housing in the city.

What are the Phase 2 districts in Abuja?

Phase 2 is the ring around the core: Utako, Jabi, Mabushi, Katampe, Jahi, Kado, Wuye, Durumi, Gudu, Gaduwa, Apo, Kaura, Duboyi and Dakibiyu. It is the professional mid-market, with newer estates and blocks of flats at rents below Maitama and Wuse 2.

What are the Phase 3 districts in Abuja?

Phase 3 is the outer city and includes Gwarinpa, Life Camp, Galadimawa, Lokogoma, Kabusa, Wumba and Dakwo. These districts have the largest estates and the most new building, and they are cheaper than Phase 2 for the same size of home.

Which area council is Kubwa in?

Kubwa is in Bwari Area Council, north-west of the city along the Kubwa Expressway. Dutse Alhaji, Dawaki, Mpape, Ushafa and Bwari town are in the same area council.

What are the cheapest areas to live in Abuja?

The satellite towns are the cheapest: Kubwa and Dutse Alhaji in Bwari Area Council, Lugbe, Karu, Nyanya and Jikwoyi in AMAC, and the towns of Gwagwalada, Kuje and Kwali. In Gwagwalada a 2-bedroom flat is indicatively ₦200,000–₦350,000 a year.

Are Karu and Nyanya in Abuja?

Nyanya and Karu are in Abuja Municipal Area Council, on the eastern edge of the Federal Capital Territory along the Keffi road. New Karu, Mararaba and Masaka, which follow them on the same road, are across the boundary in Nasarawa State.

Related guides: Renting in Abuja, Abuja rent cost guide, Abuja property prices, Relocating to Abuja, Buying land in Abuja. Area pages: Maitama, Wuse 2, Gwarinpa, Kubwa, Lugbe.