President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has prioritized fairness and inclusivity in distributing federal projects and appointments across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, countering claims of regional bias.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja.
“President Tinubu’s leadership is guided by fairness, justice, and equity,” Idris said. “No part of Nigeria is playing second fiddle or being ignored in our development agenda.”
The minister detailed a balanced allocation of capital projects, with the Northwest receiving ₦5.97 trillion (over 40% of approvals), followed by the South-South at ₦2.41 trillion, North Central at ₦1.13 trillion, South West (excluding Lagos) at ₦604 billion, South East at ₦407 billion, and North East at ₦400 billion. Major infrastructure projects, such as the 750km Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the 1,068km Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, reflect this equity, with 52% of road project lengths in the North and 48% in the South.
“These projects show a commitment to balanced development,” Idris stated. “From highways to rail and power, we are building a united Nigeria.”
Significant investments according to him, include: ₦150 billion for light rail in Kano and ₦100 billion in Kaduna, alongside metroline projects in Lagos and Ogun, expected to create over 250,000 jobs. The Eastern Corridor rail line from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri is being rehabilitated, and over 1,000 primary healthcare centers have been upgraded nationwide.
He said in the North, key projects include: the ₦824 billion Sokoto–Gusau–Funtua–Zaria Road and the ₦764 billion Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Road. The South benefits from initiatives like the ₦200 billion Bodo–Bonny Road in Rivers and ₦120 billion for rehabilitating Lagos’s Carter, Third Mainland, and Eko Bridges. In the South East, the ₦202 billion Enugu–Onitsha Road and ₦175 billion 2nd Niger Bridge Access Road are advancing, while the South-South sees projects like the ₦156 billion Eleme–Onne Road.
Beyond infrastructure, the administration according to the minister has revived the 255MW Kaduna Power Plant, advanced the AKK Gas Project, and boosted the Kano-Maradi rail line from 5% to 67% completion. Oil and gas exploration in the North has also expanded with three new wells in Bauchi and Gombe.
“President Tinubu is building national infrastructure, not local trophies,” Idris emphasized. “The Northwest may have the largest share of approvals, but every region is receiving fair consideration.”
He said the government has also established five Regional Development Commissions and a Federal Ministry of Livestock Development to address diverse regional needs. Federal appointments reflect competence and inclusivity, ensuring representation from all zones.
“President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda is unifying,” Idris said. “His commitment to equity ensures no Nigerian is left behind.”