President Bola Tinubu has responded to criticism, especially from opposition leaders, over new loans the country has accessed from international institutions and banks.
In an essay titled “From reforms to delivery: Our infrastructure investment and growth strategy,” to be published on Nigerian news platforms, President Tinubu wrote: “The real question is not how much we borrow, but what we build, what value we create and what future we leave behind.”
President Tinubu identified the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Trans-Sahara Superhighway, electricity grid upgrades and the modernisation of key commercial ports in Lagos as major projects expected to strengthen Nigeria’s productive capacity.
He said the projects, alongside investments in healthcare, education and vocational training, would connect economic regions, reduce logistics costs, unlock agricultural and industrial potential and attract private investment.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is expected to cut logistics costs along its corridor by 15 to 20 per cent. It could add up to two per cent to Nigeria’s GDP through expanded trade, tourism, and industrial activity.
The project is also projected to generate about 100,000 direct jobs in construction and engineering, alongside more than 150,000 indirect jobs in logistics, materials and related services.
“We are not simply building highways. We are opening economic corridors, connecting markets, unlocking industries and reshaping Nigeria’s economic geography,” the president said.
He said the administration’s ambition to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030 would require sustained infrastructure investment to support higher productivity, industrialisation and trade.
“We cannot build a USD 1 trillion economy with infrastructure designed for an economy a fraction of that size,” Tinubu said.
READ ALSO:
Tinubu arrives in Saudi Arabia for Umrah
Morocco 2026: Flamingos edge Mexico 2-1, reach quarter-finals
Adefaye at 65: Ogundipe applauds his contributions to journalism
Troops arrest two suspected bandit logistics suppliers
Saudi Arabia begins separation surgery for Tanzanian conjoined twins
2027: Court nullifies Uzodimma’s senatorial nomination
Kukkiwon president salutes Popoola over Taekwondo growth
Ebola: FEC approves N45.8bn airport biosecurity system
Tinubu to present 2027 budget in December –Minister
Military neutralises eight terrorists in Lake Chad air strike
Tinubu leaves Abuja for Makkah to pray for the nation
E-Waste dialogue: NCC, NLNG support ITREALMS multi-stakeholder forum
N10bn damages: Court throws out Nollywood actor’s suit against Wike’s aide, INEC