The Federal Government has revealed that the North-West geopolitical zone secured the largest share of Federal Executive Council (FEC) projects approved under President Bola Tinubu, amounting to ₦5.97 trillion—over 40 percent of the ₦10.92 trillion total approvals.
Director-General of the Budget Office, Tanimu Yakubu, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that a viral chart misrepresented national infrastructure projects as “Lagos-only” initiatives. He explained that while Lagos-exclusive projects such as airport fencing and Carter Bridge repairs total about ₦1.2 trillion, another ₦2.7 trillion tagged to the state are nationwide transport corridors and highways.
“The viral chart bundles together national infrastructure—federal highways, coastal transport corridors, and legacy roads—and labels them ‘Lagos-only projects.’ By that logic, the Kano–Maiduguri expressway could be called a ‘Maiduguri-only project,’” Yakubu argued.
A breakdown of the approvals showed the South-South received ₦2.41 trillion, North-Central ₦1.13 trillion, South-West (excluding Lagos) ₦604 billion, South-East ₦407 billion, and North-East ₦400 billion.
Yakubu cited the revival of the 255-megawatt Kaduna Power Plant—conceived during the Yar’Adua administration but abandoned for years—as a major project for the North-West. Others include the Kaduna–Kano expressway, the Kano–Maiduguri highway, and the Sokoto–Illela corridor, alongside investments in education and security.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fairness and balance in the distribution of projects, appointments, and opportunities. He highlighted flagship projects such as the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Badagry–Sokoto Highway, and the Trans-Saharan Highway as evidence of geographic inclusivity.
According to the government, more than 250,000 jobs are expected to be created nationwide from the ongoing infrastructure drive.
The Budget Office’s clarification has stirred fresh debate about resource allocation, with observers closely watching how the projects will translate into real benefits for Nigerians across regions.
