The Federal Government on Sunday published details of projects and appointments under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, dismissing claims that development efforts and political appointments have been skewed in favour of the South, particularly the South-West.
In a statement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the publication was necessary to counter “half-truths and fake information being circulated” about the government’s distribution of infrastructure projects and appointments.
He insisted that the Tinubu-led administration has, at all times, been guided by the principles of fairness, justice, and equity.
“This administration has demonstrated uncommon commitment to balanced development and inclusivity since assuming office.
“The distribution of capital projects under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is equitable. No region is playing second fiddle or ignored,” Idris stated.
According to him, major infrastructural interventions are ongoing simultaneously across the federation, spanning highways, bridges, rail, power projects, and healthcare facilities.
He cited the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway in the South and the Badagry–Sokoto Highway in the North as examples of balance.
Idris further disclosed that funding of ₦150bn and ₦100bn has been secured for light rail projects in Kano and Kaduna states, respectively, while Lagos and Ogun States are also benefitting from metro line projects. Collectively, he said, these projects will create over 250,000 jobs nationwide.
The minister also highlighted the rehabilitation of the Eastern Corridor rail line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri and the renovation of more than 1,000 primary healthcare centres across the country as part of the administration’s human capital development drive.
Citing verifiable figures, he said the North accounts for 52 per cent of ongoing federal road projects while the South has 48 per cent.
Data also show that the North-West is the biggest beneficiary of federal approvals, with ₦5.97 trillion, representing over 40 per cent of total allocations.
The breakdown showed: South-South, ₦2.41 trillion; North-Central, ₦1.13 trillion; South-East, ₦407 billion; North-East, ₦400 billion; and South-West (excluding Lagos), ₦604 billion.
Idris listed major projects in the North to include the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Road (₦764bn), Sokoto–Gusau–Funtua–Zaria Road (₦824bn), the BUA Tax Credit Road covering Jigawa, Katsina and Kano, as well as roads in Borno, Kebbi, Yobe and Benue States.
In the South, projects include the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway (₦33bn), Oyo–Ogbomoso–Ilorin Road (₦146bn), rehabilitation of Carter, Third Mainland and Eko Bridges (₦120bn), and several strategic road projects in the South-East, South-South, and Delta.
Beyond roads, Idris said the government has revived the 255MW Kaduna Power Plant, advanced the AKK Gas Project, and accelerated work on the Kano–Maradi rail line, which has progressed from 5 per cent to 67 per cent completion under Tinubu.
“President Tinubu is building national infrastructure, not local trophies. Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial hub, is rightly upgraded, but the Northwest holds the lion’s share of approvals. This proves that all regions are receiving fair consideration,” Idris said.
On appointments, the minister stressed that inclusivity and competence have guided the President’s decisions.
He pointed to the establishment of five new Regional Development Commissions and the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as evidence of the government’s resolve to address Nigeria’s diverse needs.
“On the whole, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not only kept faith with Nigerians but has proven himself to be a fair, pragmatic, and consequential reformer.
“His leadership is inclusive, his vision unifying, and his commitment to equity and justice unwavering. Nigerians can rest assured that under his watch, no part of this country will be left behind,” Idris added.
