Enhancing Nigeria’s infrastructure through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) is a key focus of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.PPP is a collaboration between a government agency and a private-sector company to finance, build, and operate public infrastructure projectsThe conceptualisation and implementation of PPPs involves managing both the public and private stakeholders to achieve the desired outcomes.

A 2022 World Bank analysis estimated that Nigeria would need to invest three trillion dollars by 2025 to close its infrastructure gap, as the current infrastructure stock is only 30 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product(GDP)That was far below the international benchmark of 70 per cent. In the last two years of Tinubu’s administration, there has been a focus on infrastructure development in areas like transportation, healthcare, energy, ICT, and urban renewal.Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) during the 29th Nigerian Economic Summit in 2023, emphasising the vital role these collaborations play in driving the nation’s growth and development.“We must work together. I have proven capacity in this regard, as we remember the role of public-private partnerships in the transformation of Lagos State under my leadership.“We will replicate that across Nigeria with your unwavering support,” the president said.The Federal Government, through the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), has made substantial strides in infrastructure development in the last two years.The Lekki Deep Sea Port, the deepest port in West Africa, is now operational, unlocking trade efficiencies, attracting foreign direct investment, and creating over 170,000 direct and indirect jobs.The Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta and Abuja-Lokoja highways are now under viable PPP arrangements.The projects include smart tolling, safety systems, and modern rest facilities, as well as improved freight logistics on the Lagos-Ibadan rail corridor, which is reducing logistics costs by over 35 per cent and easing pressure on road networks.On road infrastructure, the ongoing six-lane 700-kilometre Lagos-Calabar coastal road is designed to enhance connectivity and facilitate trade across eight states: Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River.Also, the Sokoto-Badagry highway links the Western and Northern parts of the country.The Keffi-Akwanga-Lafia-Makurdi highway has been commissioned and is operational, while the Benin-Asaba highway has been commissioned under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI).The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved some projects, which include the Kashimbila Integrated Cargo/Agro-Allied Airport project in Taraba.Dr Jobson Ewelafor, Director-General, ICRC, said that the project entailed the upgrade of an existing airstrip in Kashimbila into a modern cargo and agro-allied airport, while also integrating over 3,000 hectares of farmland, fish farming facilities, and a ranch for livestock production.“Implemented under a PPP arrangement, this project is expected to generate over N4.1 trillion in revenue from multiple sources throughout the concession period, while enhancing Nigeria’s agricultural value chain and regional connectivity,” he said.The FEC also approved several PPP projects during its meeting on May 12, including the MediPool Initiative, which aims to reduce medicine costs and expand access to essential healthcare products nationwide, particularly in underserved areas.Ewelafor said that the initiative would centralise the procurement and delivery of medicines, vaccines, and consumables across Nigeria.According to him, PPPs are driving infrastructure delivery across all sectors, ensuring that no Nigerian is left behind.“Imagine a Nigeria where no child dies due to the unavailability of vaccines, where every health facility, no matter how remote, has access to life-saving drugs.“MEDIPOOL is just the beginning under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” ge said.FEC also approved the Ikere Gorge Hydropower Project in Oyo, which was originally initiated under the Obasanjo military regime, to generate a 6MW small hydroelectric power project, developed through PPP.The D-G said that the dam would be redeveloped under a Finance-Build-Operate-Transfer (FBOT) which will also provide potable water to towns like Iseyin and Saki, and irrigate thousands of hectares of farmlands.Also approved was the Federal Coastal Fishery Terminal Borokiri in Rivers, which will boost Nigeria’s fishery value chain through modern cold-chain logistics, job creation, and enhanced export capability.Other projects approved by FEC under Tinubu’s administration include the NIMASA maritime electronic management system, the Ministry of Interior Optimisation project (E-Verification Gates), and the Guards Management System.As part of ongoing reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s PPP ecosystem, the ICRC has fast-tracked the streamlining of the PPP Project Delivery Framework, enhancing both the speed and bankability of project execution.These projects have shown President Tinubu’s commitment to sustained infrastructure development in the country aimed at bridging the infrastructure gap.Ewalefoh assured that the ICRC would continue to provide regulatory oversight to ensure project transparency, value for money, and full alignment with global PPP standards.Some stakeholders, however, posit that above feats are yet to translate to visible infrastructure upgrade across the country.As the Tinubu-led administration crosses its halfway mark kn May 29, Nigerians remain hopeful of faster development kf modern infrastructure for a more comfortable existence.(NAN

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Bagudu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to address migration issues in the country.The minister stated this during the courtesy visit to his office in Abuja by the new Chief of Mission of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Dimanche Sharon at the weekend.

He appreciated the IOM’s role in the country, saying the organisation could transform into a global ombudsman for migration issues. Migration, according to the minister, is divine, and people should be permitted to move within the boundaries of the law.The minister noted that issues such as climate change, land use patterns, and urbanisation have affected people; hence, there is a need for migration to areas with access to arable farmland, commercial opportunities, better living conditions, and prosperity.Bagudu assured the IOM team of the ministry’s cooperation and expressed a willingness to collaborate with the organisation to address both internal and international migration issues in the country, whilst noting that several agreements have been signed by the International Cooperation Department of the ministry to tackle migration challenges.IOM’s Chief of Mission to Nigeria, Ms. Dimanche Sharon, lauded the minister for his effective coordinating role, emphasising that the ministry is a key player in the country’s development activities.Sharon encouraged Nigerians to rewrite their story, highlighting the numerous positive narratives about Nigeria that the international community remains unaware of. She expressed a desire to harness remittances from the diaspora for development, noting that the receipt of remittances can enhance development, provide better nutrition, improve education, and increase access to health services.She urged the ministry to include Internally Displaced Persons (IDPS) in its development plans and to provide solutions for internal displacements, while also promising that IOM, as an organisation, wishes to support Nigeria in achieving its plans and programmes.Sharon stated that IOM is an extended arm of the government, supporting the priorities and needs of the Federal Government. IOM activities in Nigeria include: Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR), Labour Migration, Diaspora Policy Formulation, Migration Health, and Migrant Assistance and Protection.

Gov. Peter Mbah of Enugu State, on Friday, inaugurated the Enugu State Human Development Council at the Government House. He stressed that human capital remains the true wealth of any nation and a core priority of his administration. The Council is chaired by the Deputy Governor, Ifeanyi Ossai, and includes State Executive Council members and heads of MDAs.

Also represented are the legislature, local governments, traditional rulers, church leaders, and civil society organisations. Mbah explained the Council aligns with his government’s emphasis on human development and social investment. He urged the members to take the task seriously and work towards tangible outcomes. “One of our top priorities is eradicating poverty and reducing the poverty headcount to zero,” Mbah noted. He added that the government’s philosophy prioritises human capital over natural resources. “Our last two budgets allocated over 50 per cent to social services,” the governor stated. In his response, Ossai assured the governor of members’ commitment to the Council’s goals. He emphasised that all government initiatives — from schools to roads — are people-focused. “All our projects aim to improve lives, and the Council will help us track and measure progress,” Ossai said. (NAN)