APC Says Tinubu’s Infrastructure Drive Will Support $1 Trillion Economy Goal
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda, says President Bola Tinubu’s administration is investing heavily in infrastructure and human capital development as part of its plan to grow Nigeria into a $1 trillion economy.
Yilwatda made the remarks while receiving members of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State, led by the institution’s Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Audu, at the APC National Secretariat in Abuja.
According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Information Strategy, Abimbola Tooki, the APC chairman said investments in roads, bridges, rail transport, deep seaports, education and other critical sectors are aimed at boosting productivity, attracting investors, creating jobs and driving sustainable economic growth.
He explained that the administration is deliberately expanding the country’s infrastructure because efficient transport systems are key to long-term economic development.
Yilwatda disclosed that the Federal Government is working on five major deep seaports across the country. These include the Badagry Deep Sea Port in Lagos, Olokola Deep Sea Port on the Ondo-Ogun axis, Ibom Deep Sea Port in Akwa Ibom, Bakassi Deep Sea Port in Cross River and Bonny Deep Sea Port in Rivers State.
“These are not isolated infrastructure projects. They are part of a larger economic strategy. We are building the infrastructure that will support the one-trillion-dollar economy that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has set as a target for Nigeria,” he said.
He added that the government is also constructing seven coastal highways to connect the deep seaports and improve the movement of goods and services across the country.
Yilwatda highlighted the railway project linking Nigeria to Maradi in Niger Republic, saying it would strengthen regional trade and position Nigeria as a major logistics hub by giving the landlocked country easier access to Nigerian ports.
According to him, there are currently 81 federal road projects underway in the North-Central region and more than 260 road and bridge projects spread across the six geopolitical zones.
He also said the Federal Government recently approved 27 major road projects worth about ₦3.9 trillion across 15 states to improve connectivity, ease transportation and promote commerce.
“Our objective is to improve connectivity across the country so that Nigerians can travel from one part of the country to another within a reasonable period. Better roads mean better commerce, easier access to markets, improved access to healthcare and education, and greater opportunities for investment,” he said.
On the economy, Yilwatda said the administration’s tax reforms are designed to make the tax system fairer by ensuring lower-income earners pay less while higher-income earners contribute more.
He also said reforms in the foreign exchange market have improved market stability by addressing distortions linked to the parallel market.
According to him, Nigeria’s economy is beginning to show positive signs, citing GDP growth of about four per cent and increasing investor confidence.
He claimed the country has also secured major investment commitments, including a reported $20 billion investment by Shell, which he said would create jobs and stimulate economic activities.
Yilwatda added that the administration’s economic reforms are being supported by increased investments in education and healthcare.
He praised the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, for its role in training healthcare professionals and described the institution as an important investment in Nigeria’s future.
He also welcomed recent efforts by the Federal Government to improve the welfare of university lecturers, expressing confidence that better salaries and working conditions would strengthen the education sector and reduce industrial disputes.
Earlier, the university’s Pro-Chancellor, Prof. Muhammad Audu, appealed to the APC chairman to facilitate meetings with President Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to present the institution’s development plans and seek support for critical infrastructure projects.
Yilwatda assured the delegation that the request would receive the necessary attention, saying the development of institutions such as the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, aligns with the administration’s commitment to building the country’s human capital.
