President Bola Tinubu has directed the immediate commencement of critical infrastructural projects across Nigeria, aiming to bridge the country’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure gap through public-private partnerships (PPP). The directive, issued during a Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday, June 16, prioritizes roads, rail, and power projects to boost economic growth and address public discontent over deteriorating infrastructure.
Minister of Works David Umahi announced that 12 major road projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, will begin construction in July 2025. The projects, valued at ₦3 trillion, will be funded through PPPs, with private investors covering 60% of costs. Tinubu also ordered the rehabilitation of 50 federal roads and the completion of the Abuja-Kaduna rail line by December 2025. “Infrastructure is the backbone of our economic renewal,” Tinubu said, emphasizing job creation and regional connectivity.
The directive follows protests in states like Benue and Niger over poor road conditions. The Federal Government has partnered with firms like Dangote Group and BUA to expedite construction, with tax incentives offered to investors. However, critics, including the Pan-Yoruba group Afenifere, have accused the government of neglecting southern states like Ondo and Delta in project allocations.
Analysts warn that bureaucratic delays and corruption could hinder implementation, citing past uncompleted projects. The Nigerian Economic Summit Group estimates that 70% of federal projects since 2010 remain unfinished. Tinubu’s order includes a monitoring task force to ensure accountability, but public skepticism persists, with many awaiting visible progress before 2027 elections.
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