The Great Infrastructure Push

When a government approves projects worth trillions of naira in just two days, it demands our attention. The Federal Executive Council (FEC’s) marathon sessions this week, approving 101 memos, tells us something significant about the Tinubu administration’s governance approach.

Let’s put this in perspective. In just 48 hours, we witnessed approvals for everything from road construction to healthcare, from pension bonds to student housing. The numbers are staggering – N885 billion for road projects, N758 billion for pension clearance, N203 billion for FCT projects, and N159.5 billion for infrastructure in the capital territory, among others.

What strikes me most about these approvals isn’t just their size but their scope. The Tinubu administration appears to be pursuing what I’d call a “big bang” approach to infrastructure development. From the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway to the rehabilitation of teaching hospitals across six states, we’re seeing an ambitious attempt to tackle multiple development challenges simultaneously.

But here’s where it gets interesting. The Works Minister, David Umahi, is pushing for a significant shift in road construction methodology, advocating for concrete roads instead of asphalt. His argument about durability and cost-effectiveness in the long-term deserves attention. When he talks about saving “significant costs compared to previous projections,” we should take note.

The health sector approvals are particularly telling. The government’s N4.8 billion allocation for HIV/AIDS treatment, coming right after the US funding suspension, shows a recognition that Nigeria needs to take more responsibility for its healthcare challenges. The N12 billion approved for teaching hospitals’ equipment upgrades further reinforces this point.

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What’s even more fascinating is the creative sector initiative. The approval to establish a Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation, targeting $100 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth and two million jobs, suggests this administration sees beyond traditional economic sectors.

When the Minister of Arts and Culture, Hannatu Musawa, talks about “Detty December” celebrations in Lagos, she’s pointing to an often overlooked economic goldmine.

However, these massive approvals raise important questions. First, where is the money coming from? With the Minister of Finance, Wale Edun, securing various loans and bonds, including a €30 million facility for student housing, we need to watch our debt profile carefully.

The pension clearance bond of N758 billion is particularly significant. It shows an attempt to clear historical liabilities, but also highlights the weight of our pension obligations.

The decision to implement a National Single Window Project for trade processes suggests a recognition that we need to generate more revenue through improved efficiency.

The geographic spread of these projects is noteworthy. From Calabar to Lagos, from Bauchi to Ogun, there’s an apparent attempt to ensure national coverage. The FCT’s massive allocation for infrastructure projects suggests a determination to transform the capital city’s face.

But here’s what we should be watching closely: implementation. Nigeria’s history is littered with grand announcements that never materialised. The real test will be in the execution. When Minister Umahi talks about not accepting excuses for road failures and demanding contractors redo problematic sections, that’s the kind of oversight we need.

The focus on student housing through the French Development Agency loan is particularly interesting. It shows recognition of a critical but often overlooked infrastructure gap in our educational system. Similarly, the approval of the African Medicines Agency treaty suggests a strategic push to position Nigeria in the continental pharmaceutical market.

What’s clear from these approvals is that the Tinubu administration is betting big on infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth. The Information Minister, Mohammed Idris, frames 2025 as a “year of consolidation,” suggesting these massive investments are part of a broader economic recovery strategy.

But let’s be clear – approvals are just the first step. The real challenges lie in project execution, preventing corruption, ensuring quality delivery, and maintaining these infrastructure once built. The administration’s ability to transform these paper approvals into concrete achievements will ultimately determine their impact on Nigerian lives.

As we watch these projects unfold, the key metrics won’t just be in naira and kobo, but in jobs created, lives improved, and sustainable development achieved. That’s the real test of this ambitious infrastructure push.