Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made this known at the 2025 Nigeria Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Summit on Tuesday in Abuja.

The president therefore urged private sector partner to be focused and more committed.

According to him, what matters to the average Nigerian is the availability of basic infrastructure such as power, roads, health facilities and quality schools.

He called for a more strengthened public-private sector partnership that emphasises innovation, efficiency, commitment and integrity above mere capital and investments.

” We need more than investment. We need innovation, we need efficiency, and above all, we need integrity.

” I urge you to look beyond the risks and recognise the immense opportunity to shape a nation that is not just rising, but ready.

“The projects that emerge from this summit must not gather dust on paper or linger in bureaucratic limbo.

” We will fast-track approvals for viable projects. We will ensure coordination across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to enable swift implementation.

“We do this because we know that what matters to the average Nigerian is not promises, but power in their homes, roads to their farms, access to clean water, modern hospitals, and quality schoolsl We must build.

” We must deliver. And we must do it together,” he said.

He observed that a 21st-century economy cannot be built on 20th-century infrastructure, pointing out that the “old model of public-only infrastructure funding is no longer sustainable.

“Our national aspirations far exceed what public budgets alone can deliver. That is why we must innovate, and why we must work together.

” We are not looking for investors to carry burdens. We are offering opportunities to create value.

” We seek long-term partners who are ready to help us bridge our infrastructure gap with purpose and precision,” he added.

Tinubu recalled that his administration, on assumption of office two years ago, was quite aware “that a functional relationship between the public and private sectors would be the magic wand of transformation.”

He reaffirmed that the administration was still fully committed to that very public-private partnership that is passionate about delivering sustainable and inclusive infrastructure.

” We have strengthened the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and enhanced its capacity to regulate, superintend, and de-risk PPP transactions.

” We are determined to deliver infrastructure that is both sustainable and inclusive. Our economic reforms have laid a stable foundation.

” From the removal of unsustainable subsidies to the liberalisation of the foreign exchange regime and the optimisation of government revenues, we have acted boldly and responsibly.

“We are streamlining bureaucratic bottlenecks and improving transparency in our project pipelines.

” We have aligned our processes with global best practices and investor expectations.”

The President urged participants to ensure the event is “remembered not for fine speeches, but for bankable projects, signed deals, and enduring progress.”

The Minister of Interior, Mr Tunji Ojo, commended the ICRC for championing game-changing projects across diverse sectors.

Ojo noted that with President Tinubu and Vice-President Shettima in the saddle, Nigeria is taking its rightful place in the comity of nations.

The Regional Director, Central Africa and Anglophone West Africa, IFC, Dahlia Khalifa, applauded the ongoing reform in Nigeria’s PPP framework.

Khalifa acknowledged IFC’s collaboration with authorities across key sectors to achieve the country’s overall objectives and strengthening the existing relationship between the organisation and Nigeria.

She added that Nigeria under President Tinubu has demonstrated strong commitments to timely and transparent resolution of disputes arising from PPP projects.

Solomon Quaynor, the Vice President for Private Sector, Infrastructure and Industrialisation at the African Development Bank, said the theme of the summit implies that partnerships are not just optional but are essential.

He said the infrastructure deficits “demand that the government and the private sector work together in commercially viable PPPs.”

Quaynor added that the bank was working with other partners on the Lagos-Abidjan highway project to boost regional economic integration in West Africa.

“PPPs are complex long-te,rm projects.

They need to be designed properly and designed to survive different political administrations because by their very nature, they are long-term,” he stated.

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Mr Yakubu Kwanta, the State Commissioner for Youths and Sports Development, disclosed this at a ministerial media briefing organised to highlight the midterm achievements of the current administration, on Tuesday in Lafia.

Kwanta explained that the mini-stadium for Nasarawa North Senatorial Zone would be constructed in Wamba LGA, while those for Nasarawa South and Nasarawa West Senatorial Zones would be at Doma and Nasarawa LGAs, respectively.

According to him, the governor had done a lot towards employing the youths positively since he assumed office in 2019, and these initiatives were to consolidate his efforts.

The commissioner further disclosed that the government would renovate and upgrade facilities at the youth centres in the 13 LGAs of the state.

He, however, said that due to limited resources, the upgrade of the youth centers would be in phases.

Kwanta said that the ones in Akwanga and Lafia already had been upgraded with state-of-the-art facilities.

He explained that the initiative was aimed at promoting youth and sports development and providing facilities for young athletes.

“The construction of these stadiums and renovation of youth centers are part of the state government’s efforts to promote sports development.

On his part, the Commissioner for Information, Dr Ibrahim Tanko, said that the governor had done a whole lot of work in every sector to better the well-being and welfare of the people.

The commissioner said that provision of infrastructure in the state was one of the government’s major priorities.

He added that the state was leaving no stone unturned to ensure sustenance of peace.

“Nasarawa is one of the most peaceful in the country due to the proactive measures by the governor.

“The governor’s community security mechanism has made the state safer, reducing insecurity and clashes between herders and farmers and has fostered peace thereby creating a conducive environment for economic growth and development,” he added.

Tanko said that the regular logistics support to security agencies in the state had always been proactive and has also helped significantly in improving peace and unity amongst the different groups in the state.

He said that efforts of government in this respect and also in promotion of its tourist sites was to attract investors in order to create employment and boost the economy of the state

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This is according to the China Foreign Exchange Trade System.

In China’s spot foreign exchange market, the Yuan is allowed to rise or fall by two per cent from the central parity rate each trading day.

The central parity rate of the Yuan against the dollar is based on a weighted average of prices offered by market makers before the opening of the interbank market each business day.

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Alhaji Abubakar Yelwa, Managing Director, HYPPADEC, disclosed this on Wednesday in New Bussa during an inspection of the on-going rehabilitation of the facilities.

“This project is the rehabilitation of the New Bussa water scheme, where the town has been out of water for 20 years.

“Since water is life, the community and the Niger state government felt we should address the water issue first.

“We had a meeting with the Niger State Water Board and Sewage Corporation and agreed that this is something that can be done. After due process HYPPADEC decided to fund the project,” he said.

Yelwa said that the rehabilitation which started seven months ago would be completed and inaugurated in November this year.

He expressed satisfaction with the level of job done so far by the contractor.

“I am satisfied with the level of work done so far because we have engineers from the state water board and HYPPADEC.

“They have all confirmed that the activities of the contractor are in line with the specification of the contract,” he said.

The Managing Director said the replaced machines were obsolete and non-functional, hence the need to replace them with modern ones that would serve the people better.

“We replaced high and low lift water pumps and valves with new ones.

“The intake of water reservoirs and water storage tanks were also improved upon to allow many villages access to potable water,” he said.

He said aside from rehabilitation of the New Bussa water scheme, there was rehabilitation of the Yauri water scheme in Kebbi.

He explained that this was so, because they were the two towns that were displaced as a result of the Kainji Hydroelectric Dam project.

Yelwa said the rehabilitation which would gulp N1.6 billion each in Niger and Kebbi states was a contribution between the commission and the two states and their benefiting local governments.

The six states HYPPADEC operates are Niger, Kogi, Benue, Kwara Plateau and Kebbi are contributing five per cent of their statutory allocation to the activities of the commission.

Similarly, Mr Gimba Yisa, Acting Managing Director, Niger State Water and Sewage Corporation said the on-going rehabilitation was holistic, which included provision of new water pumps designed to provide adequate water for the people.

“It involves the establishment of a new booster pump station, extension of the water distribution pipeline and general maintenance of the transmission pipeline,” he said.

Yisa said that over 16,000 households in the area would benefit from the water scheme.

Earlier, Mr Kokobissi Outare, Managing Director, KSB Pumps Nigeria Ltd, one of the contractors handling installation of the water pumps, said the pumps were designed to supply 500,000 litres of water per hour to the treatment plant.

Outare expressed optimism that the rehabilitation work which had reached 60 per cent completion would be completed and inaugurated by the end of November this year.

Mrs Mary Garba, a resident of the area who expressed joy over the project, said that they have been without portable water for years.

Garba thanked the state government and HYPPADEC for the initiative.

Our correspondent reports that the New Bussa community is hosting the Kainji hydroelectric dam and the Kainji lake.

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According to it, this is to alleviate the suffering of road users.

The Director, Highways, Bridges and Designs in the Federal Ministry of Works, Mr Omotayo Awosanya, gave the assurance while leading top engineers from the Federal team and Lagos State on inspection tour of the bridges.

The team earlier had a closed door meeting with Buildwell Plants and Equipment Industries Ltd, contractors on the project at their construction yard in Costain.

It was reported that the Federal Government had earlier set July 15 completion deadline for the bridges.

Our correspondent further reports that the joint team inspected Apongbon Bridge both up and beneath, and Ijora-Olopa section of the Eko Bridge.

Awosanya said the date review was borne out of the need to relieve stress commuters have undergone for almost a year since fire gutted Apongbon section and later Ijora Olopa portion.

“At exactly midnight on Sunday, July 9, the bridges will be re-opened so that commuters will have smooth passage on Monday morning of July 10.”

He said that when the bridges are re-opened, there will be intermittent short closures to continue repairs.

He said an existing contract for rehabilitation of the entire Eko Bridge had reached 50 per cent completion.

The director added that a total of 150 bearings had been replaced with additional 150 to be installed in subsequent rehabilitation works.

He said full scale rehabilitation would continue on other sections of the Eko Bridge, as the contract is meant to last three years.

“We have come here to urge the contractor to reduce five days out of the 15th of July, we are now going to open the bridge on the 9th at 12.00 midnight.

“And a minute after 12.00 a.m on the 9th, the bridge will be opened for traffic on the 10th.

“This is as a result of close collaboration between Federal Government and Lagos State Government because we are mindful of the stress the closure of this bridge has caused to Lagosians and we have put pressure on the contractor to open the bridge on Monday for traffic.

“This will reduce the stress presently on other bridges connecting the island and Victoria Island,” he said.

He warned that the Federal Government would evacuate all illegal squatters under all Lagos Bridges causing damage to the infrastructure.

He noted that the collaboration of the Federal and state governments would help to achieve the eviction of the squatters under the Apongbon, Ijora bridges, as well as other bridges.

The Permanent Secretary Office of Infrastructure in Lagos State, Mr Olufemi Daramola, expressed satisfaction with the level of work, assuring residents of better motoring experience on the axis after re-opening of both bridges.

Daramola said with what is on ground, “9th of July is very realistic”, assuring that, arrangements were at high level towards protection of all bridges.

On her part, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha appreciated the Lagos public for their patience while the repairs of both bridges lasted.

Kesha appealed to residents to be vigilant and report illegalities and vandalism, adding that, they should take ownership of all infrastructure to prevent wastage of scarce resources that go into repairs.

Our correspondent reports that the joint team from the Federal and Lagos State governments also inspected the Ijora Olopa section of Marine Bridge scheduled for completion in September, 2023.

During the inspection, Kesha assured that demolition had been completed on all the five panels destroyed by vandals, adding that, casting of concrete was set to begin.

It was reported that both Apongbon and Eko Bridges were razed by fire caused by human activities in 2022.

Apongbon Bridge was affected by fire in March, 2022 and efforts for its December completion were stalled by another fire that affected the Ijora Olopa section of Eko Bridge on Nov. 4.

The delivery date for Apongbon Bridge was extended to May 2023 because some materials for its repairs were used to start emergency repair of Ijora Olopa section.

The Federal Government later set another deadline for July 15 which was reviewed downward to July 9.

The 4.1km Eko Bridge links the Lagos Island with Mainland. It directly links to Apongbon on the Island side.

Eko Bridge has been undergoing phased rehabilitation but contract for its comprehensive maintenance was awarded in February 2022 and expected to extend to 2026.

On the other hand, the Ijora Olopa section of Marine Bridge damaged by vandals was shut on May 17, 2023 for safety of the public.

The deck on pile bridge caved in on May 16, 2023 leading to immediate assessment and closure.

A deck on pile is a bridge that does not have piers.

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Our correspondent reports that dualization of the road project in Lagelu Local Government area, was contracted to Samchase Nigeria Ltd.

Makinde, reiterating his commitment to infrastructure development, said that his administration had resolved to put in place critical infrastructure that would open up the state for economic expansion.

He explained that 30 per cent of the contract cost had been paid to enhance speedy completion of the project within the time-frame of 12 months.

The governor hinted that owners of properties that would be affected by the road dualisation project would be compensated accordingly.

Makinde, soliciting the co-operation of all residents of beneficial communities, said that the project would have positive impact on the communities.

According to him, it will also boost the state Internally Generated Revenue when completed.

He name the entire stretch of 15.3 Kilometres IdiApe – Akobo – Olounda/Abaa Road after former Gov. Nyeson Wike of River, also a political associate of Makinde.

Commenting, Mr Kazeem Gbadamosi, Chairman of Lagelu Local Government, said that the road dualisation would ease movement of goods and services in the neighborhood.

Gbadamosi said that the project when completed, would have direct impact on the political and socioeconomic activities of the local government’s residents.

Also, Mr Hyginus Okoro, Technical Officer, Samchase Nig. Ltd, promised that the company would deliver quality and standard project.

Okoro said that the company would keep to the time-frame delivery and that value for every penny expended on the project would be provided.

A cross section of residents of Akobo – Olouda/Abaa communities, in an interview with our correspondent, expressed joy over commencement of the road project.

Mr Peter Akande said that flagged off of the project was a positive signal.

Akande said that all motorists and other road users plying the route would soon experience smooth movement.

He commended Makinde-led administration for awarding the road project.

Akande assured the contractor of the communities’ support in ensuring speedy completion of the road construction without hindrance.

Another road user, Michael Adewale, a commercial tricycle operator, said that the road project when completed would ease vehicular movement and reduce traffic being experienced on the road.

Adewale urged relevant agencies in charge of the project to ensure effective monitoring to enable the contractor to keep to specification and deliver quality work.

Our correspondent reports that traditional rulers, religious leaders, chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and government functionaries were among dignitaries that graced the occasion.

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Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President, Media and Publicity, briefed State House correspondents on Wednesday after the FEC meeting presided over Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Shehu listed the airports as: Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Port Harcourt International Airport and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.

Others are: The airports in Owerri, Imo, Benin, Edo, Enugu, Enugu State, Maiduguri, Borno, Yola, Adamawa and Calabar.

The rest are those in Calabar, Ilorin Sokoto, Ibadan, Jos, Akure and Katsina.

Shehu said that the council also approved post-contract consultancy amounting to N3.4 billion for the construction of the second runway and associated facilities at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The presidential aide said that contracts were also approved for the Ogoni remediation in Rivers.

Shehu said: ‘Two major contracts were approved for Ogoniland, Rivers, and you know, Ogoni is one of the flagships of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

“There are water projects that have been awarded under the second phase amounting to N22.8 billion.

“Approval was also given for award of contract for the remediation of newly identified hydrocarbon impacted sites along the shoreline of Ogoniland for N107 billion.”

Shehu said that the FCT also got quite a number of approvals including contract for the full scope development of the Shehu Shagari Way for N91 billion.

He added: “Another one is for the rehabilitation of the Rubochi township roads and the rehabilitation of Rubochi-Gwagwalada in FCT for about N5.7 billion.

“Council also approved contract for the construction of 3.2 kilometre road to Kwali Bridge in Kwalli Area Council of the FCT for about N1.6 billion.

“Another FCT contract is for the revised estimated cost of the contract for the provision of engineering infrastructure at Guzape District lot 11 in the FCT and the contract sum is N28 billion.

“And the fifth approval for FCT is for revised estimated total cost/augmentation of the contract for the provision of access road to Kabusa Garden Estate, Dako District in FCT and this is for N6.6 billion.”

Shehu said that approvals were also made for the Ministry of Works for the rehabilitation of several roads across the country.

He said that the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning also had approval for the construction of the FIRS multi-storey office complex at Agidingbi Training School, Ikeja, Lagos, for N10.3 billion.

Shehu said: “Finance Ministry also had approval for the construction of Zone B Headquarters of the Nigeria Customs in Mando and Afaka in Kaduna.”

More so, he said that the Ministry of Interior also got approval for the establishment of the National Institute for Domestic Security at Irogbo-Ilesha, Osun.

“This is for research and capacity development of paramilitary agencies and other relevant stakeholders both within and Nigeria.

“This is to guarantee a peaceful and secure nation, with a budgetary provision of N285 million in 2022 budget and N360 million in 2023 budget,” he said.

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The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said this on Monday in Abuja while presenting the scorecard of his stewardship in the eight year administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.

The theme of the scorecard was ‘Tour of Duty as HM of the Federal Republic of Nigeria: A Time and Economic Resource Report (2015-2023)”.

Fashola said the eight years of the Buhari-led administration was targeted at improving living conditions of Nigerians and drastic reduction of multidimensional poverty.

He said that upon his appointment as minister, part of his target was to improve human lives by venturing into the construction of long-neglected capital projects inherited from previous administrations.

“When this administration came into being the budgetary allocation for the whole country was N18 billion but within the first year of office, the President was able to put this to N224 billion, today we have 13, 000 roads under construction.

“We have created 383,431 jobs, constructed 9,290.34 kilometres of roads, linear metre of lane marking 2,270,319 and number of road signs installed 254,690.

“What this is doing in effect is that journey time are being reduced, improving human conditions and promoting prosperity.

“On housing, we have 46 sites in 35 states with 6,068 housing units and 2,870 housing units in the FCT.

Fashola added that the ministry issued 1,262, building contracts, while 6,685 Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) were signed from 2015 to March 2023.

According to him, the ministry generated a revenue of N13,09 billion within the period.

Fashola said the second Niger bridge, which had stayed untouched for about three decades by previous administrations, was one of the mega projects executed by the Buhari administration.

He added that another major project was the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which was given priority by the government.

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The president while inaugurating the 746 housing unit estate, said it would help check multi-dimensional poverty in the country.

Our correspondent reports that the N9.5billion estate which is located on a 18.5 hectares of land consists of 16 blocks of 3-bedroom flats in a block of 8 flats.

Others are 32 blocks of 2-bedroom flats in a block of 8 flats; 14 blocks of 1-bedroom flats in a block of 16 flats and 5 blocks of terrace duplexes in 4 rows.

Buhari said the provision of houses was one of the best ways to attack poverty, create prosperity and develop the economy.

He said that the project was part of government’s efforts to curb poverty and provide shelter for citizens.

“I convey my hearty congratulations to the new homeowners in this estate. Our promise of change has been fulfilled for you.

“Housing supply is one of the indices of multi-dimensional poverty that challenges our people and the completion of this estate provides a solution for the beneficiaries.

“The new homeowners who benefit from this estate have taken a step up on the ladder of prosperity and away from poverty,“ he said.

He commending the Chairman, Managing Director, members of the Board and Staff of Federal Housing Authority (FHA) on the successful completion of the Estate.

Buhari said that the project was another testament to his administration’s commitment to lifting people out of poverty.

“One of the measures that we have consciously deployed to attack poverty, create prosperity and develop our economy is the aggressive provision of infrastructure nationwide.

“Such investments also lead to creating employment opportunities for artisans and other skilled members of the society.”

He urged the management of FHA not to relent in delivering other projects at various stages of construction and development across the states.

The President also charged residents of the estate to consciously work together with the FHA to ensure the maintenance of the property and the safety of the environment.

Also speaking, Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, said 75 contractors were engaged in the course of the project, while over 13,000 Nigerians were employed both directly and indirectly.

He thanked the president for providing the leadership through his approval of appointments to the leadership of the FHA Board and management.

“Instead of abandoned projects, we now have 748 completed housing units for Nigerians and their families to shelter”.

“Although many of the beneficiaries of this project will never meet the president personally, your policies and programmes have affected their lives,” he said.

The Managing Director, FHA, Sen. Gbenga Ashafa, described the project as a manifestation of the president’s visionary and deliberate housing policy.

He said the Authority delivered the project at a total cost of N9.5 billion with the subvention of N7.5 billion from the Federal Government.

Ashafa said that the balance of N2 billion of construction cost came from the Authority’s other projects which was ploughed into it to complete the estate.

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Commissioning the project, Zulum, said that the significant developmental projects were initiated by the office of President Muhammadu Buhari, under its Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) projects.

He said the project is aimed at providing shelter for the people, who were been displaced by the insurgency in the state.

He explained that the provision of housing units was a critical aspect of the resettlement and rehabilitation process for communities, affected by the insurgency.

”This will enhance the living condition of the people, and also provide a sense of security and stability,” he said.

The governor lauded President Buhari and the SDG office for providing the housing units for the people of Gajiram community.

He also reiterated his commitment to the resettlement and rehabilitation of communities, affected by the insurgency.

In her remarks, Mrs Adejoke Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, appreciated Gov. Zulum and all the stakeholders who contributed to the success of the project for the benefit of the people.

She said the president was very passionate about ending the insecurity bedeviling some parts of the country, and building communities damaged by insurgency.

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