By Joke Kujenya
COORDINATED PLANNING between federal and state governments will unlock faster national development, President Bola Tinubu said on Thursday while commissioning the Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road in Lagos.
Addressing state governors during a visit to the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Plant, Tinubu emphasised that aligning planning permits and development frameworks would ease compensation issues and eliminate delays affecting strategic infrastructure projects nationwide.
He directed the Minister of Works, David Umahi, and the Surveyor General of the Federation to collaborate more effectively with state governments to streamline approval processes and remove bureaucratic bottlenecks.
“Don’t give planning approvals without collaboration,” the President urged. “Let us realise the same development goal.”
Reaffirming the federal ban on dredging activities within 10 kilometres of all bridges across Nigeria, Tinubu appealed for enforcement from state governors, regulatory agencies, and security operatives to safeguard national infrastructure from erosion and collapse.
The ceremony marked his second major project inauguration in Lagos within one week, following the unveiling of Phase One of Section One of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
Tinubu also commended contractors including Hitech Construction Company, Dangote Industries, and BUA Group, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to delivering resilient, long-lasting infrastructure across the country.
Addressing public criticism, the President clarified widespread misconceptions about the scope and procurement process of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
“Our approach has been systematic, transparent, and section-based. No contractor has been awarded the entire 750km corridor,” he said, noting that the completed 30km stretch is part of a six-lane, 47.7km Section I contract.
He further highlighted the revival of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, first conceptualised during the Shehu Shagari administration nearly five decades ago.
This strategic corridor, he explained, holds immense value for agricultural expansion, cross-border trade, and wind energy development across Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos States.
In Kebbi, more than 10km of the planned 258km three-lane carriageway has been completed, while construction continues in Sokoto on a 120km segment. The second carriageways in both states were officially flagged off on Thursday.
The President also reported significant progress on Section II of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, with more than 10km already completed.
He confirmed active construction in Cross River and Akwa Ibom, and instructed the expedited design and procurement for subsequent segments of the route.
In parallel, work is underway on the Trans-Sahara Trade Route connecting Calabar to Abuja via Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa.
He also announced the acceleration of planning for the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe corridor, which constitutes the fourth of his administration’s Legacy Projects.
Additional newly commissioned projects include critical bridges and roads across Plateau, Kano, Jigawa, Adamawa, Kwara, Osun, and Borno States.
Simultaneously, construction was flagged off on several highways, including the Zaria-Hunkuyi-Daya Road in Kaduna and Kano; the Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala Road in Borno; and the dualisation of major routes in Oyo, Kano, and Katsina — some of which are being executed under tax credit schemes led by private sector giants BUA and Dangote.
Tinubu expressed deep gratitude to key private sector contributors — including Jim Ovia, Femi Otedola, Abdulsamad Rabiu, and Aliko Dangote — for their ongoing support towards the country’s infrastructure development.
He praised the Dangote Refinery and highlighted the cost-saving potential of the Lekki Deep Sea Port, which he initiated during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State.
He noted the engineering quality of the access road, built under the Federal Tax Credit Scheme, as a benchmark for future projects.
State governors from Plateau, Abia, Enugu, Ogun, Borno, and Kaduna attended the commissioning ceremony.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani commended President Tinubu’s fuel subsidy removal policy, stating that it has led to increased revenue allocations now being channelled into healthcare, education, and infrastructure at the state level.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s broader outlook during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, Tinubu urged citizens to remain resilient in the face of ongoing economic challenges.
“We are entering a new era of renewed hope and prosperity,” he said, acknowledging the hardships of the past year but assuring Nigerians that reforms were beginning to yield measurable results.
He also offered condolences to victims of the recent Mokwa flooding in Niger State, encouraging national unity, compassion, and active support for affected communities.
He called for continued prayers for front-line security personnel, national peace, and stronger bonds among Nigerians in every region.
“We may not yet be where we aspire to be,” Tinubu said, “but the path is clear, and the foundation is being firmly rebuilt for lasting progress.”
President Felicitates Fellow Muslims
President Tinubu also extended his message of hope with a solemn reflection on national values and collective duty, calling on Nigerian Muslims to rise above divisions and recommit to compassion, resilience, and unity.
He reaffirmed that the bold economic reforms under his administration — including subsidy removals, exchange rate unification, and infrastructure-led stimulus — are beginning to yield tangible outcomes.
He stressed that the goal is not merely statistical progress but a transformation in the daily lives of ordinary Nigerians.
Acknowledging the pain and sacrifice endured during this transition period, the President assured citizens that the most difficult phase is behind them.
He urged Nigerians to persevere with patience and faith, observing that key economic indicators are already turning around and that visible improvements will soon follow.
Invoking the spirit of Eid-el-Kabir, he called for generosity, tolerance, and national solidarity across all faiths and communities.
He also thanked the Nigerian people for their patience and praised the collaborative efforts of both public and private leaders in steering the country through a difficult but necessary reform period.
Referencing the recent deadly floods in Mokwa, Niger State, Tinubu urged empathy and active support for affected families.
He called for collective prayers — not only for victims of disasters, but also for national security operatives and leaders at all levels of government — underscoring the need for unity in turbulent times.
The President concluded his remarks by urging all Nigerians to embrace the values of sacrifice, loyalty, and shared humanity.
He offered prayers for peace across Nigeria and the world, expressing confidence that the blessings of Eid would guide the nation toward greater stability and inclusive prosperity.
President Tinubu is misguided. In 1960, Nigeria had a per capita Income of $1,860 without a “Lagos- Calabar coastal road.
In2014, Nigeria GDP was $560 billion and we didn’t have “Sokoto- Badagry superhighway”!
So, how come since 2015-2025 (a full decade) Buhari and Tinubu started to mouth the mantra of “infrastructure development” and Nigeria GDP has stagnated at below $200b? Enough of this misguided rhetoric!
This is deep. How I wish they would see this and respond directly to enlighten us all.