From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
At the break of dawn, Jabi Lake in Abuja usually awakens with a lively pulse. By 6 a.m., the once quiet space transforms into a buzzing hub where joggers chase their daily goal of 10,000 steps, vendors set up small stalls, and families share quality time. For many, this place isn’t just about exercise or leisure—it’s a vital part of their day and, for some, their means of making a living, especially amid Nigeria’s tough economic challenges.
Jabi Lake isn’t just a scenic spot; it’s the heart of a community’s rhythm. Early risers jog along winding paths, cyclists speed past, kids wobble on skates, and friends gather for badminton or football. Sidewalk vendors serve refreshing smoothies and snacks, while massage therapists soothe tired muscles on the spot. Small business owners rely on the flow of visitors, renting out sports gear or selling their wares to support their families. Even top government officials go there, drawn by its unique blend of energy, health, and connection.
For many, Jabi Lake is more than just a park—it’s a lifeline. It’s where people merge the daily fight for survival with the simple joys of health, community, and opportunity.
But this vibrant scene has fallen quiet. Last week, Deputy Director, Abuja Parks and Gardens Department, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Ifeoma Umeha, ordered all businesses and activities at the lake to stop till further notice. The familiar hum of life and commerce has been replaced by an uneasy silence, leaving many struggling with uncertainty. Suddenly, routines have been disrupted, livelihoods jeopardised, and the simple joys of community gatherings put on hold.
For the regular users of Jabi Lake, this isn’t just the closure of a park—it’s the shuttering of a daily hope, a challenge that threatens not only their work and wellness but the very means of putting food on the table.
On the morning of Saturday, August 9, 2025, Jabi Lake’s atmosphere was noticeably subdued. Exercise devotees who arrived unaware of the order were greeted by closed smoothie shops and the absence of the usual array of sportswear and gear vendors, leaving the space feeling strangely empty. Confusion rippled across the small crowd as the usual buzz was absent.
Questions started to ripple through the gathering: “What’s happening? Where is everybody?” Word spread that the shutdown was ordered by the head of Parks and Recreation at the FCTA, barring all commercial and organized activities at the park.
By 9:30 a.m., the situation escalated. A taskforce team arrived supported by a truckload of personnel. Those vendors who had managed to set up their wares along the road facing the lake found themselves caught off guard. Scenes of frantic scrambling unfolded as people hurriedly packed their goods, some dashing across busy roads to escape the enforcement. Close calls with oncoming traffic added to the chaos as vendors sought to avoid clashes or arrests.
Amid this disorder, a group of elderly regulars—longtime exercise practitioners—stepped forward to question the severity of the crackdown. They sought clarity from the taskforce and advocated for those trying to maintain their daily routines and small businesses. Their intervention succeeded in halting further harassment, allowing a few courageous vendors who reverted to their car booths and exercisers to carry on despite the ban.
This dramatic disruption exposed the complex tension between regulatory enforcement and the community’s need for survival and wellness. Many rely on the park not only for fitness but as a vital source of income. The closure left them anxious about continuing on amid Nigeria’s challenging economic climate. The forceful intervention sharply contrasts with the lake’s usual morning rhythm, characterized by shared energy among exercisers, vendors, and families.
Coach Mustapha Jubrin, who has worked at Jabi Lake as a skating coach for nearly 20 years, said: “We have a new director at the Parks and Recreation with new rules and regulations. We’ve been summoned twice for meetings to rearrange how the park is managed. The first day she came here, she declared: ‘there’s money here.’ People come out to work out and run their businesses, but now they have been told not today. Anyone who sets up a business risks arrest.
“Before, we paid N5,000 monthly for development fees. Those with approvals—smoothie sellers, bowlers, skaters—were allowed. Others came without approval and have been running illegal businesses, making money without paying anything. The new director wants to identify who is approved and who isn’t. Those without approval are being told to come to the office to get approval and start paying.
“The economy in Nigeria is very tough right now. People just want to put food on the table. We’re not making huge profits—we just need to survive. I’m asking the director and the FCT Minister to please allow us to do business here so we can feed ourselves. We keep the environment clean ourselves—we pay cleaners monthly and maintain the place. We want to continue without blocking or disturbing others.
“I am a graduate—I studied accounting—but I created my own job here as a professional skating coach. Skating is not just fun; it teaches focus, improves health, and burns calories. I use this job to feed my family. I often tell the youth: don’t wait for government jobs. Find your own way to make money.”
Rehman, a badminton coach with a degree in Guidance and Counseling, shared his concerns: “I’ve been using this park for 10 years. Now they say payment might be increased to N50,000, which I simply cannot afford. I charge my clients N1,000 per session, but expenses keep piling up. This park is my livelihood. If they deny us access, I don’t know what I’ll do.”
A fitness coach recounted: “At first, we paid N5,000, then N10,000 monthly; later, we were told to stop the payments pending review. We ended up paying to individual accounts without receipts.
“Last week, we were ordered not to run any business at all. If they would just give us a formal space to build and pay revenue for what we do, we would gladly do that and help keep the place beautiful. But right now, everything’s stopped.”
Justina, a regular user of the lake for over a decade, lamented the lack of stability: “Every time there’s a change in government, we face the same uncertainty. The new director’s crackdown is hurting everyone who depends on this park for sport and fitness.
“Communication has been poor. One day, we’re training, the next, they say no equipment, no music, and even footballers and badminton players are stopped. This park serves the whole FCT, and now it feels like its spirit is being killed.
“Music is essential for workouts—it’s no fun without it. Many people rely on income from selling smoothies and snacks here. If that stops, some may turn to crime. The park keeps us healthy and engaged. What we need is dialogue, not bans.”
A group of young people training at the park echoed concerns about the wider consequences of an empty park: “If people stop coming, the grass will grow wild, and the place will become unsafe. We want an agreement—a clear arrangement that allows us to rent official spaces and maintain the park. This is a major source of revenue and a community hub for us all.”
These tensions reflect the broader challenge that faces many urban recreational areas in Nigeria: how to balance regulation and revenue collection with supporting informal livelihoods and community wellness amid economic hardship. While the Abuja Parks and Recreation Department’s actions likely stem from concerns about unapproved businesses and lost revenues, to the users, the closure feels like a sudden and harsh blow to their means of survival and hope.
Coach Mustapha’s final plea resonates deeply: “I ask Nigeria’s youth not to wait on government jobs. Skating and sports themselves can be jobs. To the Minister and FCT administration, let us continue our work here. This park is our home, our market, and our gym.”
Senior Special Assistant, Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Lere Olayinka, in a telephone interview with our correspondent, said: “The closure of the area is only temporary and not permanent. Jabi Lake was identified as one of the flashpoints requiring urgent attention.
The FCT administration is currently working to address issues related to the number of people conducting commercial activities at the site. Once these concerns have been properly resolved and the area is deemed secure, normal activities and movement around Jabi Lake are expected to resume.”
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