The Federal Government has rejected claims of lopsided development under President Bola Tinubu, insisting that his administration has been guided by fairness, justice, and equity in the distribution of projects, appointments, and opportunities across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, in a statement over the weekend, maintained that the administration had demonstrated “uncommon commitment” to inclusivity and balanced national development since assuming office.
According to him, the government’s flagship infrastructure projects reflect an even spread. While the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway cuts through the southern corridor, the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway traverses the north.
“This sense of balance runs through all the major infrastructure projects being implemented today,” Idris said, noting that massive interventions were ongoing in roads, rail, power, and healthcare.
He disclosed that the government had secured N150 billion and N100 billion for light rail projects in Kano and Kaduna, while metroline projects in Lagos and Ogun were ongoing. Collectively, the rail investments are projected to generate over 250,000 jobs.
The minister also revealed the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri rail line, alongside the upgrading of more than 1,000 primary healthcare centres nationwide.
Citing official data, Idris said the Northwest had so far received the highest allocation of capital projects worth N5.97 trillion (40%), followed by the South-South (N2.41 trillion), North-Central (N1.13 trillion), Southwest excluding Lagos (N604 billion), Southeast (N407 billion), and Northeast (N400 billion).
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Among the legacy projects listed were:
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Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway (750 km) – ongoing in Lagos, Cross River, Akwa Ibom.
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Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway (1,068 km) – ongoing in Kebbi and Sokoto.
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Trans-Sahara Highway (465 km) – ongoing in Ebonyi.
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Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Road (439 km) – redesigned for durability.
Overall, Idris noted that 52% of road projects are in the north and 48% in the south.
Beyond roads and rail, he highlighted the revival of the 255MW Kaduna Power Plant, progress on the AKK Gas Project, oil exploration in Bauchi and Gombe, and advancement of the Kano–Maradi rail project, now at 67% completion.
On federal appointments, the minister stressed that inclusivity remained central to Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, citing the creation of five new regional development commissions and the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as examples of fairness.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is building national infrastructure, not local trophies. His leadership is inclusive, his vision is unifying, and his commitment to equity and justice is unwavering. Nigerians can rest assured that under his watch, no part of this country will be left behind,” Idris stated
