Politics
Tinubu govt awards N6tn contracts for roads, others to mark one year in office
President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Executive Council has awarded 51 contracts worth N6.27tn for procuring, constructing and developing various infrastructural projects across the federation in eight months.
The contracts, awarded between October 16, 2023, and May 14, 2024, totalling eight months, were allocated to facilitate the development of a wide array of infrastructural projects across critical sectors, encompassing the construction of roads, bridges, train systems, and airport infrastructure.
It awarded 43 road projects and three airport contracts, among others.
The FEC is the highest executive body in a Federal Government system. It’s composed of senior government officials including ministers and other high-ranking cabinet members and has a constitutional role to formulate policies, execute government projects, and, more broadly, aid the President in discharging his executive functions, although the president is the ultimate executive decision-maker.
The President, in his inaugural speech on May 29 last year, promised massive development of infrastructure.
He stated, “We shall continue the efforts of the Buhari administration on infrastructure. Progress toward national networks of roads, rail and ports shall get priority attention.“
At the FEC inaugural meeting last August, Tinubu charged his cabinet members to work hard and be committed to creating a buoyant economy that will serve every Nigerian.
Tinubu told FEC members including ministers to work hard, saying that the expectations of Nigerians were very high and underperformance would not be tolerated.
The President also restated his government‘s policy agenda which includes reforming the economy to deliver sustainable and inclusive growth and strengthen national security for peace and prosperity.
“You and I know that expectations are high, and these are tough times. We must work hard and move ourselves to create a buoyant economy that will serve Nigeria. We have an unacceptable employment rate, and we are facing threats from climate change.
“To turn things around, you have been selected to perform your utmost best. Our policy implementation will reform the economy, ensure inclusive growth, and strengthen security for peace and prosperity. Without security, there can be no investment,” the president said.
He also approved the conduct of the FEC weekly meeting to be held every Monday. Under the previous administration, the FEC meetings were held on Wednesdays every week.
Abuja-Lokoja route
A breakdown of the projects showed that during the FEC meeting held on May 14, the Ministry of Works secured an approval of N89bn for the reconstruction of Koton- Karfe -Abaji road (Abuja 12 bound), along the Abuja-Lokoja route in Kogi state.
The FEC also on the same date awarded a contract worth N120bn for the equalisation of Lokoja- Benin road, Okpela Section, Lokoja-Benin’ dualised Auchi section. The road will be financed by BUA Cement under the tax credit scheme.
This decision was reached during a lengthy meeting chaired by Tinubu on May 14, during which 21 significant policy initiatives were unveiled.
Section two of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway was also awarded on the same day at a cost of N1.6tn while N546bn was apportioned for roads and bridges in Kaima- Tesse, Kwara State, Benin-Agbor, Benin Byepass and Ngaski-Wara in Kebbi State and N230bn Construction of a 37-kilometre Kano Bypass road.
On February 26, the Federal Government approved N1.067tn for the first phase of the highway’s construction. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, explained that the section, a 47.47 kilometres dual carriageway of five lanes on each side and a train track on the middle, is part of the 700-kilometre road spanning nine states and with two spurs leading up north.
The Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project, designed to stretch 700 kilometres and pass through nine states, was awarded to Hitech Construction Company Limited on an Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing arrangement, where the bulk of the risk falls on the contractor.
On March 26, Umahi said FEC approved N1.495tn contracts for 29 roads and bridges across the country.
Umahi explained, “Today, the Federal Executive Council considered and approved 29 roads and bridges totalling N1.5tn. After going through the Bureau of Public Procurement, they were all approved by FEC, and we got Certification of No Objection.
“Council also approved the Bukuru bridge across Katsina-Ala River in Benue State. It is a twin bridge matching the dualised road there, and each of the bridges is about 850 meters. Put together, it is 1.7km and costs about N83.799bn.
“FEC also approved a road from Shaki to Okerete in Oyo State. The road is 91.432km and will cost N144bn.”
Also in March, N992.23bn was awarded for the rehabilitation and construction of seven road projects.
The FEC also approved N5.5bn to fund the construction of access roads serving communities along the Abuja light rail project.
In the aviation sector, N4.2bn was awarded for the supply, installation and training of operators of disabled aircraft recovery systems at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos State.
On December 13, 2023, the FEC approved N6.33bn for technical support services at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and the procurement of a wide area Multilateration Air Traffic Management system at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Rivers State.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the technical support service, which involves maintenance of the new international wing of the Lagos Airport, would be carried out by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd. for five years, costing N4.1bn.
The Multilateration air traffic management system to be sited at the Port Harcourt International Airport would cost N2.23bn.
“It is for the first five years for a contract sum of N4.1bn, inclusive of 7.5 per cent VAT, with a completion period of five years. It is for the comfort of the travelling public, for Nigerians,” he added.
Other projects are the building of bus terminals and other transport facilities in the FCT at the cost of N51bn, the upgrade of Kwaita-Yebu 5 Road in Kuala Area Council of Abuja, N7.6bn; and the building of the Court of Appeal Abuja Division at N37.2bn.
Speaking with our correspondent in Abuja, financial experts lauded the government’s strategic decision to prioritise infrastructural projects, recognising it as a proactive and forward-thinking initiative aimed at bolstering economic growth, enhancing connectivity, and fostering sustainable development across various sectors.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr Muda Yusuf, said awarded projects were worthwhile and held significant value in fostering development.
He said, “The projects are worthwhile and hold significant value, each dedicated to fostering development. They are projects that support the development of our country and you can only have as many projects as you have resources. The government must allocate ample resources to bring them to fruition. It is the number of resources that you have that will determine the number of projects but as far as the value of those projects is concerned from a development point of view, all of them are very important and the government just have to ensure that they have enough resources to see them to completion.”
Similarly, a professor of Economics at Babcock University, Segun Ajibola, said the government had been creative in procuring contracts via private and public partnerships.
Ajibola said, “This administration has been very creative in terms of awarding contracts within these few months. There are so many projects that are so desirable but the funding capacity may be limited and there are so many ways and manners projects are awarded these days. For example, the Oshodi-Apapa expressway commissioned recently was done via a partnership with Dangote which will come back to the company by way of tax rebates. Also, some of the projects are on Public-private Partnerships and will not draw funds directly from the government.
“We have uncompleted projects dotting the landscape and others are begging for attention like road projects. We can only continue to encourage the government and pray for the country as a whole to up the ante by increasing the revenue being mobilised. The environment is a serious infrastructural deficit and begging for serious attention.”
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Cowry Treasurers Limited, Charles Sanni, emphasised the importance of maximising the benefits derived from these projects, stressing the necessity of prioritizing those with longer timelines for completion over those that can be immediately concluded, especially considering the existence of other unfinished projects awaiting attention.
Sanni said, “Again, there are political issues in economic policies, so if you ask on the streets in terms of economic optimisation, I would say they may not be necessary. Still, for the president, maybe it is a reward for political patronage but it is strictly economic and finance. It behoves the government to optimise the benefit of those projects. I don’t think that it is necessary to embark on those projects for which you have a longer time to complete when you can immediately conclude on some other unfinished projects.
“Our resources are scarce like we say in economics but what is the scale of preference? for a political objective, the scale of preference may be different from that who is inclined in that direction and I think we need to watch it.”
President Bola Tinubu on Friday formally retained Vice President Kashim Shettima as his running mate for the 2027 presidential election.
This was as political parties made last-minute moves to beat the Independent National Electoral Commission’s deadline for the submission of presidential and National Assembly candidates.
The ruling All Progressives Congress presented the nomination forms of Tinubu and Shettima to its National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, in Abuja for onward transmission to INEC, effectively ending months of speculation that the President could replace his deputy with a northern Christian.
The development came as INEC confirmed that it had received the presidential and vice-presidential nominations of the African Democratic Congress, Nigeria Democratic Congress, Social Democratic Party, Action Alliance, African Action Congress, Peoples Redemption Party and Young Progressives Party.
Meanwhile, several other political parties continued uploading the names of their candidates ahead of the commission’s Saturday midnight deadline.
The electoral commission had fixed July 11, 2026, as the deadline for political parties to upload the nomination forms of their presidential and National Assembly candidates through its online nomination portal in accordance with Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act, 2026.
The submission exercise, which commenced on June 27, covers Forms EC9 and EC9A to EC9E for presidential, vice-presidential, Senate and House of Representatives candidates.
According to the timetable released by the commission, political parties are expected to begin uploading the names of governorship and State House of Assembly candidates from July 18, with the exercise ending on August 8.
INEC is scheduled to publish the personal particulars of presidential and National Assembly candidates on August 1, while those of governorship and state assembly candidates will be displayed on August 29 to allow members of the public raise objections where necessary.
The commission also fixed August 22 as the deadline for the withdrawal and substitution of presidential and National Assembly candidates, while governorship and state assembly candidates have until September 19 for withdrawal or replacement in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.
The July 11 deadline marks one of the most critical stages in the build-up to the 2027 general elections, as only candidates validly nominated by political parties through primaries monitored by INEC are eligible for submission.
The commission had repeatedly warned political parties against submitting the names of candidates different from those who emerged from duly monitored primaries, insisting that any nomination outside the provisions of the Electoral Act and its regulations would be rejected.
Against this backdrop, the APC used Friday’s presentation ceremony to publicly affirm its presidential ticket, signalling that it would head into the 2027 contest without altering the Muslim-Muslim ticket that secured victory in the 2023 presidential election.
Following President Tinubu’s emergence as the APC’s presidential candidate during the party’s convention, political discussions had intensified over whether the President would retain Shettima or opt for another running mate to broaden the party’s electoral appeal.
Those speculations gathered momentum in recent months amid reports that the ruling party was considering a northern Christian as vice-presidential candidate to address concerns over religious balancing.
Friday’s submission, however, ended the uncertainty, with the APC formally presenting Tinubu and Shettima as its flag bearers for the 2027 election.
The nomination documents were presented on behalf of the President by his Special Adviser on Political Matters, Ibrahim Masari, during a ceremony attended by members of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, the National Assembly, the Federal Executive Council, the APC National Working Committee, state chairmen of the party and APC governorship candidates.
Earlier, the APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, described the event as the formal presentation of the duly completed nomination forms of the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
Argungu noted that President Tinubu had earlier secured the party’s presidential ticket through what he described as a transparent primary election, and urged party members to remain united ahead of the 2027 polls.
He also commended the President for what he described as the achievements of his administration before formally handing over the nomination documents to the APC National Chairman for onward submission to INEC.
Speaking on behalf of APC governors, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, reaffirmed the governors’ support for President Tinubu and the party leadership.
“We are delighted that this event is coming after a well-organised and thoroughly supervised primary process. We reiterate our commitment to continue supporting President Tinubu and the party,” he said.
Uzodimma said the APC remained committed to internal democracy and inclusiveness, adding that the governors would continue mobilising support for the President across the country.
“We will continue to support him in the larger interest of Nigerians and to take the country to greater heights. To the National Working Committee, we reaffirm our support. Together, we are going to deliver victory for President Tinubu and ensure the party wins all elective positions, including the National and State Assemblies,” he added.
Receiving the nomination forms, APC National Chairman, Prof. Yilwatda, described the event as a reflection of the confidence reposed in President Tinubu by millions of party members across the country.
According to him, the President’s endorsement by members of the party demonstrated widespread support for his administration and its policies.
He stated, “Today is a reflection of the wishes of over 12 million members of the APC who overwhelmingly voted for Mr. President as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election. We are proud that APC members across the country cast over 12 million votes for Mr. President and overwhelmingly endorsed him.
National Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has responded to recent remarks by the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, , agreeing that President Bola Tinubu has done his best to address Nigeria’s security challenges but arguing that his best is no longer enough.
Obi made the remarks during an interview with Chude Jideonwo, uploaded on YouTube on Thursday, while explaining why Nigerians should support his presidential ambition over other opposition candidates.
Asked why he should be elected president, Obi urged Nigerians to evaluate his past record alongside his current vision for the country.
“It’s for you to look at my past and look at what I’m saying now,” he said.
Responding to Adeboye’s recent comments on Tinubu’s handling of insecurity, Obi described the respected cleric as a sincere and credible religious leader whose assessment was fair.
“Somebody asked me yesterday, they said that Pastor Adeboye said Tinubu has tried his best and he’s not happy. And I said, no, Pastor Adeboye remains a very revered, respected religious father, whom I believe in his genuineness and goodness.
“And what he said was correct. He said he has tried his best. He’s trying his best. That’s it. It’s the correct answer.
“The question to ask is: Is his best good enough? Where we find ourselves today, that leads to the issue of capacity.”
Obi maintained that effective leadership is defined by competence, capacity, compassion, commitment and character, arguing that Nigeria’s persistent security challenges demonstrate the need for a leadership change.
“When I talk about leadership, I say competence, capacity, compassion, commitment, character. These are the issues. President Tinubu is tired. He needs to go home and rest,” Obi said.
Adeboye had earlier defended President Tinubu against criticisms over worsening insecurity during the US-Nigeria Faith Heroes Award Gala organised by the Save Nigeria Group in Washington, D.C., on June 23.
The cleric argued that the President had fulfilled his responsibility by issuing directives to the military, stressing that a commander-in-chief was not expected to personally participate in combat operations.
“I don’t support those who are accusing the President of not doing enough. When the commander-in-chief has given instructions to his subordinates, he has done his bit. You don’t expect him to go and put on khaki and fight,” Adeboye said.
Despite defending the President’s role, Adeboye expressed concern over the deteriorating security situation, noting that terrorism and kidnapping had spread beyond northern Nigeria into the southern parts of the country.
He also revealed that he advised the President to issue a 90-day ultimatum to military commanders to either end the insecurity or resign, while urging the government to identify and prosecute those sponsoring terrorist activities.
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), , has expressed concern over what he described as persistent harassment and frustration ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking during an interview with Chude Jideonwo, Obi alleged that the actions of the current administration have made his daily activities increasingly difficult and negatively affected his means of livelihood.
The former Anambra State governor claimed he faces constant obstacles and said the pressure has become so intense that he cannot be certain he will be alive to participate in the 2027 presidential election.
“With the way this government is going, I may not even be alive to contest the 2027 election. Every single thing I do for a living, this government is deliberately frustrating. I face frustration every day,” Obi said.
He also alleged that he recently experienced an incident at an airport where his vehicle was locked, citing it as an example of the challenges he claims to be facing.
Obi did not provide further details about the airport incident or identify those allegedly responsible for the action.
The candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) for Ebonyi Central Senatorial District, , has unveiled an ambitious legislative agenda aimed at positioning the district as a globally competitive hub for innovation, technology, agriculture and enterprise.
In a statement addressed to the people of Ebonyi Central, Odoh thanked the leadership of the NDC, party members, stakeholders and supporters for entrusting him with the party’s ticket for the 2027 general election.
He described his emergence as a call to service and pledged to pursue legislative initiatives capable of attracting federal interventions, strategic investments and economic opportunities to the district.
According to him, the future of Ebonyi Central depends on electing a senator who can shape transformative legislation, influence national budgets, strengthen oversight and build partnerships that deliver sustainable development.
Odoh argued that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, digital technology, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing and precision agriculture require proactive policies to ensure Ebonyi Central is not left behind in the global economy.
He said his legislative priorities would include expanding broadband infrastructure, promoting digital innovation and skills centres, attracting agro-processing and mineral beneficiation industries, and supporting modern agricultural practices to improve productivity and create jobs.
The NDC candidate also promised to unveil a five-part SMART Legislative Agenda detailing plans to strengthen education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, agriculture and investment through purposeful legislation and strategic federal advocacy.
He urged residents of Ebonyi Central to support a vision that would transform the district into a centre of innovation, enterprise and shared prosperity, with the goal of delivering “prosperity in every home, jobs, wealth and opportunity.”
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