President Tinubu Vows To Deliver Sustainable Infrastructure

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has restated the determination of the current administration to fast-track approvals for viable infrastructural projects in Nigeria.

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

The President made the remark on Tuesday, when he declared open the 2025 Nigeria Public-Private Partnership Summit held at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

He urged private sector partners to be focused and more committed, noting that Nigeria offers scale, demand, and returns like no other African market.

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

President Tinubu, who was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said: “But 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 schools. We must build. We must deliver. And we must do it together.”

Observing that a 21st-century economy cannot be built on 20th-century infrastructure, the Nigerian leader pointed 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.

President 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 is still fully committed to that very public-private partnership that is passionate about delivering sustainable and inclusive infrastructure.

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

Director General of the ICRC, Jobson Ewalefoh, said the summit is a rallying call for transformation, a platform for strategic convergence, and a bridge between national aspirations and tangible development.

“This summit brings together the finest minds from government, private investors, development partners, and civil society to co-create new frameworks, de-risks bankable projects, and strengthens our institutional alignment toward project delivery. It is a testament to Nigeria’s readiness to lead, not just follow, in the evolving global PPP ecosystem,” he stated.

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

Also present at the event were the Governor of Cross River State, Bassey Otu; Governor of Ondo State, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Deputy Governor of Jigawa State, Aminu Usman and the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, among others.