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Tracking Infrastructure Development Through PPP Under Tinubu’s Administration, an Analysis

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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

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Edo Assembly Dissolves Standing C’ttees, Constitutes Panel to Probe Ex-Speaker

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The Edo House of Assembly on Tuesday dissolved all its standing committees and constituted an investigative panel to probe allegations levelled against the former Speaker, Blessing Agbebaku.

The new Speaker, Yekini Idaiye, announced the decision during the plenary session.

He said that the dissolution became necessary to enable the house to “re-evaluate legislative duties, improve administrative efficiency and give members new committee experience”.

Idaiye subsequently inaugurated a five-member ad-hoc committee to investigate Agbebaku over allegations of corruption, including inflated procurement costs for cars.

The committee, which was mandated to report back in two weeks, is chaired by Bright Iyamu.

Other members are representatives of Akoko Edo II; Ovia North East II; Etsako East; and Esan North East II.

Recall that Agbebaku resigned from office on Monday, August 17, following allegations of corruption and financial impropriety against him.

The house also received and adopted reports on the screening of nominees for key state commissions.

Dr David Osifo was confirmed as a member of the Edo Judicial Service Commission, while Oscar Onaiwu was confirmed as a member of the Local Government Service Commission.

The house also received a letter from Gov. Monday Okpebholo for the screening and confirmation of nominees for the Chairman and members of the Edo Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Shittu Shaibu was named to chair the screening committee for the nominees.

The house later adjourned sitting until August 19, 2026. 

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Brain Jotter Cries out after Harassment by Lagos Touts

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Nigerian content creator, Brain Jotter, has cried out on social media after being harassed by Lagos touts, popularly known as ‘agberos’.

Brain Jotter lamented the incident in a post shared on his Instagram page.

Expressing frustration, the content creator shared a video showing the moment he was harassed in his car by a group of thugs on a Lagos road.

He was refused free passage by the touts who were demanding settlement from him.

In the video shared by Brain Jotter, one of the touts was heard boasting, “I be lion”.

Lamenting the incident, the content creator wrote, “Lion no dey use eyes see goat. Nigerian zoo keepers are the worst. We lack good wild-life and they let a lion escape from their zoo. This is sad.”

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Dangote Cement Ibese, FRSC Strengthen Strategic Partnership to Advance Road Safety in Ogun

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Efforts aimed at further enhancing road safety in Ogun State has received a boost following fresh collaborative engagement between the Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant and the State Sector Command for safer road use and general safety advocacy.

Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant reaffirmed its commitment to promoting safer roads and strengthening stakeholder collaboration as it received the newly deployed Ogun State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, and members of his management team on a courtesy visit to the plant.

The visit provided an opportunity for both organizations to discuss strategies for enhancing road safety awareness, driver competence, and regulatory compliance across Ogun State.

Speaking during the engagement, Corps Commander Ogunjobi commended Dangote Cement for its consistent support to the FRSC and its contribution to road safety initiatives over the years pointing out that the company has established itself as one of the Corps’ most reliable corporate partners through its commitment to safety and responsible transportation practices.

Said he; “Dangote Cement has remained a dependable partner of the Federal Road Safety Corps over the years, and we deeply appreciate the support we have continued to receive from the company,” Ogunjobi said.

“As an organization with extensive logistics and transportation operations, Dangote Cement understands the importance of safety on our roads. This shared commitment provides a strong foundation for even greater collaboration between our two institutions.”

The Sector Commander emphasized that promoting a culture of safety requires continuous engagement with stakeholders, particularly organizations that operate large fleets of vehicles and professional drivers.

“Road safety is not the responsibility of FRSC alone. It requires collective action from government agencies, private sector organizations, transport operators, and road users. We believe there is significant potential for us to work more closely with Dangote Cement in driving safety awareness and improving compliance with road traffic regulations,” he stated.

As part of the proposed areas of cooperation, Ogunjobi advocated the establishment of an FRSC Special Marshal Unit within the Ibese Plant, noting that the initiative would strengthen safety consciousness among employees and drivers.

“We would like to see the establishment of an in-plant FRSC Special Marshal Unit that will serve as a platform for promoting road safety advocacy and best practices among staff and transport operators. Such a unit will support specialized driver training programmes, regular sensitization sessions, and proactive safety campaigns aimed at reducing road crashes, he said.

He further assured the company of the Corps’ readiness to provide technical support saying “our doors remain open. We are committed to supporting Dangote Cement through continuous engagement, capacity building and safety enlightenment initiatives that will ultimately benefit not just the company but all road users across Ogun State,” he added.

Responding, the Plant Director of Dangote Cement Plc, Ibese Plant, Mr. Ayyagri Subbaraidu, described the FRSC as a critical stakeholder in the company’s operations and commended the Corps for its dedication to preserving lives on Nigerian roads.

While noting that safety remains a central pillar of Dangote Cement’s operational philosophy and long-term growth strategy.

“The Federal Road Safety Corps plays a strategic role in our operations because transportation is a vital component of our business. We therefore recognize and appreciate the tremendous work being done by the Corps in ensuring safer roads and protecting lives,” Subbaraidu said.

The Plant Director explained that the company’s Vision 2030 places strong emphasis on responsible operations, sustainability, and stakeholder collaboration, making road safety an important priority.

“Dangote Vision 2030 clearly highlights the need for stronger partnerships with key stakeholders such as the FRSC. Safety is not merely a regulatory requirement for us; it is a core value that guides how we operate every day,” he stated.

“Our commitment goes beyond the movement of products. We are committed to ensuring that our drivers, contractors, employees and every road user interacting with our operations do so in the safest possible environment.”

Subbaraidu welcomed the proposals presented by the new Sector Commander and assured the visiting delegation that Management would continue to explore initiatives capable of strengthening the existing relationship.

“We appreciate the suggestions put forward by the Sector Commander, particularly in the area of driver education and safety awareness. These initiatives align with our commitment to continuous improvement in health, safety and operational excellence,” he said.

“Dangote Cement remains ready to work hand in hand with the FRSC in advancing road safety campaigns, improving driver competence, enhancing compliance, and creating safer roads for all. We look forward to expanding our collaboration for the mutual benefit of our organizations and the communities we serve.”

The visit ended with both parties expressing confidence that a stronger partnership between Dangote Cement and the FRSC would significantly contribute to safer road transportation, improved driver behaviour, and enhanced compliance with safety regulations across Ogun State.

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