# Asokoro

Asokoro is an upmarket district in Abuja, the capital city of Nigeria. The district hosts the ECOWAS Secretariat; the headquarters of the NIA, NFIU, NBC, the FCCPC, and the FHA; the Africa Independent Television headquarters and TVC News Abuja Bureau; the offices of the WHO, the IOM, and the World Bank; the Aso Rock Presidential Villa; about 18 foreign embassies and consulates; and all the state lodges of 36 states of Nigeria. Asokoro borders Abuja Central Area to the north west, Guzape to the south and Garki to the west. It is the doyen of Abuja's districts.

## History

Asokoro has its origins in the migration of the Koro people, led by Dodonniya, around 1798. They originally came from Likoro near Zaria and travelled through Kwaya to Abuja and settled near a hill they named Shishimpe, later moving to Galadimawa as their population grew. As the village became too small to accommodate their increasing numbers, they relocated to Zumbo (meaning 'gorgeous place'). Another wave of settlers, the Gbagyi people, arrived from Bauchi and established themselves in Kurunduma. Some Ebira immigrants also arrived around the same time and named the area Aso, meaning 'it will be liked'. Hence, the name Asokoro meaning 'the Koro of Aso'.
An alternative etymology for the name Asokoro could be associated with the Aso Rock, located in the area. The large igneous rock served as a natural fortress for the Gbagyi people residing in the vicinity. According to this interpretation, the rock was named Aso, signifying 'victory' in Gbagyi. Consequently, the term Asokoro could be derived from the collective identity of the inhabitants as the 'people of victory'.$^{:1}$$^{:8}$
During the 1970s and 1980s, Abuja underwent significant construction and development in anticipation of becoming the capital of Nigeria, succeeding Lagos. This transformation involved the government displacing many of the existing inhabitants of the region. On 12 December 1991, Abuja was officially declared the Federal Capital City, with Asokoro being one of its six districts. The other districts included Maitama, Wuse, Garki, the central business district, and the Three Arms Zone.$^{:1}$$^{:6}$

## Infrastructure

Asokoro District boasts of excellent infrastructure like improved water supply, developed road network, and adequate water supply. In 2023, the FCTA, flagged-off the rehabilitation of 51 roads in the district. The popular and ever-busy Abuja-Keffi Expressway terminates in the district. Asokoro's well-developed infrastructure attracts tourists, investment and business; the district hosts a lot of residential buildings that are architectural masterpieces offering tourist opportunities. The popular Sunrise Waterpark, the largest water park in Africa was opened in Notable thoroughfare in the district includes, the ever-busy Abuja-Keffi Expressway, the Murtala Muhammed Expressway, Goodluck Jonathan Expressway, Yakubu Gowon Crescent, Julius Nyere Crescent, Kwame Nkrumah Crescent, Thomas Sankara Street, Nelson Mandela Street, Queen Elizabeth Street and the likes.

## Tourism and Investments

Asokoro's well-developed infrastructure attracts tourists, investment and business The district hosts a lot of residential buildings that are architectural masterpieces offering tourist opportunities. A popular investment in the district is the Sunrise Hills Estate, the estate sits on 5.78 million sq metres, the investors plan a five-star hotel, mall, places of worship, public squares and schools. The estate opened the Sunrise Waterpark in 2024, which is the largest waterpark in Africa.There are plans to start the construction of a shopping complex soon. The development bothers the ever-busy Abuja-Keffi Expressway to the north, its commercial strip. The Sunrise Boulevard is a popular thoroughfare in the estate.
The Aso Rock Monolith conspicuously dominate the northern skyline of the district.