Tinubu vows to fast-track infrastructure projects, calls for stronger public-private partnerships

Abdullateef Fowewe

President Bola Tinubu has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to accelerating approvals for viable infrastructure projects across Nigeria, emphasising that the real measure of progress is the availability of essential services like power, roads, healthcare, and quality education for every Nigerian.

This was gathered in a statement on Tuesday by the Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications (Office of The Vice President), Stanley Nkwocha.

Speaking at the official opening of the 2025 Nigeria Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Summit held at the State House Conference Centre, Presidential Villa, Abuja, Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, urged private sector partners to deepen their commitment, innovation, and integrity beyond mere capital investment.

“But we need more than investment. We need innovation, we need efficiency, and above all, we need integrity. I urge you to look beyond the risks and recognise the immense opportunity to shape a nation that is not just rising, but ready.,” the President declared.

He stressed that infrastructure projects must not be stalled by bureaucracy or paperwork, promising swift government coordination to ensure timely implementation.

“The projects that emerge from this summit must not gather dust on paper or linger in bureaucratic limbo. We will fast-track approvals for viable projects. We will ensure coordination across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to enable swift implementation.

“We do this because we know that what matters to the average Nigerian is not promises, but power in their homes, roads to their farms, access to clean water, modern hospitals, and quality schools. We must build. We must deliver. And we must do it together,” he said.

President Tinubu highlighted the unsustainability of relying solely on public funding for infrastructure in the 21st century, calling for innovative public-private partnerships that deliver value and long-term impact.

“Our national aspirations far exceed what public budgets alone can deliver. That is why we must innovate, and why we must work together. We are not looking for investors to carry burdens. We are offering opportunities to create value,” he explained.

Recalling his administration’s efforts since taking office two years ago, the President noted significant reforms to enhance the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) and streamline bureaucratic processes to align with global best practices.

“We have strengthened the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and enhanced its capacity to regulate, superintend, and de-risk PPP transactions. We are determined to deliver infrastructure that is both sustainable and inclusive,” he affirmed.

Minister of Interior Tunji Ojo praised the ICRC’s role in championing transformative projects, expressing optimism that Nigeria is reclaiming its rightful place on the global stage under the leadership of Tinubu and Vice President Shettima.

Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, Director General of the ICRC, in his remark described the summit as a pivotal platform for collaboration among government, investors, and civil society to bridge Nigeria’s infrastructure gap.

“This summit brings together the finest minds from government, private investors, development partners, and civil society to co-create new frameworks, de-risk bankable projects, and strengthen our institutional alignment toward project delivery. It is a testament to Nigeria’s readiness to lead, not just follow, in the evolving global PPP ecosystem,” he said.

Dahlia Khalifa, Regional Director for Central Africa & Anglophone West Africa at the IFC, commended Nigeria’s ongoing PPP reforms and highlighted the country’s commitment to transparent dispute resolution mechanisms.

Solomon Quaynor, Vice-President for Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialisation at the African Development Bank, underscored the essential role of PPPs in addressing Nigeria’s infrastructure deficits and praised collaborative projects like the Lagos-Abidjan highway that promote regional integration.

“PPPs are complex long-term projects. They need to be designed properly and designed to survive different political administrations because by their very nature, they are long-term,” Quaynor noted.

Zitto Alfayo, Director & Global Head of Project Preparation at the African Export-Import Bank, emphasized the critical role of PPPs given Nigeria’s limited fiscal space and applauded the government’s market reforms.

“With this clear demonstration of commitment from the Nigerian government, the onus is now on the private sector to drive the adoption of PPP,” Alfayo stated.
The summit was attended by key government officials including Governors Bassey Otu (Cross River), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Deputy Governor Aminu Usman (Jigawa), and several federal ministers.

However, Tinubu concluded his remarks with a call to action, “We must build. We must deliver. And we must do it together. Let this summit be remembered not for fine speeches, but for bankable projects, signed deals, and enduring progress.”