Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Once dismissed as another white-elephant project, the Lagos-Ibadan railway is fast proving to be a lifeline of efficiency. In just the first eight months of 2025, it carried nearly 700,000 passengers and hauled 380,000 tons of cargo-saving millions of travel hours and slashing haulage costs in a country long hobbled by gridlocked roads and high logistics expenses. Beyond speed, the corridor is driving productivity, preserving harvests and sparking new economic clusters, report ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE, YINKA ADENIRAN and NTAKOBONG OTONGARAN

On a humid morning in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, the Lagos-Ibadan train glides into its terminal with clockwork precision. From its doors pour a cross-section of Nigeria-civil servants gripping files, traders balancing bags of goods, students with backpacks slung over shoulders. Only hours earlier, they had departed Lagos, Africa’s largest city, where clogged roads once stretched the 120-kilometre trip into a punishing half-day ordeal. Today, the same journey takes just a little over two hours.

Completed in 2021, the Lagos-Ibadan rail line was initially celebrated as another milestone in infrastructure delivery. But fresh data suggests it is quietly maturing into something more transformative: a driver of economic efficiency. Between January and August 2025, the train carried 690,169 passengers. Monthly ridership climbed from 79,672 in January to 109,413 in August-a 37 per cent increase in just eight months. Behind those numbers lies a human story: workers reaching offices earlier, traders opening shop on time, students saving on bus fares and stress.

One civil servant captured the sentiment on X (formerly Twitter): ‘I left Lagos at 6:00 a.m. and was in a 9:00 a.m. meeting in Ibadan. By road, that was impossible.’ Economists say such time savings translate directly into productivity and disposable income. The World Bank notes that in economies burdened by high logistics costs, each minute shaved off travel yields measurable economic output. By saving passengers an estimated two hours each trip, the Lagos-Ibadan line restored nearly 1.4 million productive hours to Nigeria’s economy in just eight months-the equivalent of 160 years of labour time regained.

Freight revolution: The steel backbone of trade

If passenger trains showcase the rail’s social value, freight is the steel backbone that powers economies. Between January and August 2025, the Lagos-Ibadan line hauled 382,340 tons of cargo-cement, steel coils, gypsum, soda ash, and containerised goods, the very lifeblood of Nigeria’s industries. In April alone, over 73,000 tons moved on the line. That is freight that might otherwise have clogged highways, driven up haulage costs, or perished before reaching destination. By contrast, road transporters contend with soaring fuel bills, congestion delays, and accident risks.

For traders, the difference is tangible. A tomato merchant told Channels TV: ‘By road, half of our goods rot before reaching Ibadan. By train, more arrive fresh and we make more money.’ This is logistics efficiency at work. In Nigeria, transport typically consumes 30-40 per cent of business expenses-compared to under 10 per cent in developed economies. Every ton shifted from truck to train reduces costs, raises margins, and improves competitiveness.

Economic multipliers

Economists classify railways as general-purpose infrastructure-assets that lower transaction costs, stimulate trade, and integrate markets. Studies by the World Bank and African Development Bank (AfDB) suggest every dollar invested in rail can yield $1.50-$2.20 in wider economic output once spillovers into agriculture, manufacturing, and services are included. On the Lagos-Ibadan corridor, passenger fares and freight receipts totalled about ?12 billion (roughly $8 million) in the first eight months of 2025. Using AfDB’s multiplier, this translates into an additional $13-$19 million in economic value in less than a year.

The impact extends well beyond revenues. Towns along the line-Papalanto, Abeokuta, Moniya-are stirring back to life as stations double as logistics hubs. Land values around Ibadan station are rising, while shops, eateries, and small service firms sprout around the steady stream of commuters and traders. More broadly, the line is altering Nigeria’s inflation and growth dynamics. By shifting passengers and freight from the chronically congested Lagos-Ibadan expressway to rail, it chips away at one of the country’s deepest structural problems: high logistics costs.

For farmers and food traders, the change is striking. Perishable produce that once spoiled after a day in traffic now reaches markets intact, reducing waste and stabilising supply. Consumers, in turn, feel the benefit in more moderate food prices-vital in a country where food carries the heaviest weight in the inflation basket. The Lagos-Ibadan rail line is thus more than a transport project. It is a quiet lever of productivity, competitiveness, and price stability.

The headline inflation rate, which eased to about 20.1 per cent in August 2025 after months of food-driven surges, reflects a mix of influences. But improved efficiency along critical supply corridors such as Lagos-Ibadan stands out as one of the quiet structural supports cushioning upward pressure. The growth story becomes even clearer when viewed through output. Every commuter who reaches Ibadan in two hours instead of five embodies regained productivity: fewer wasted hours in gridlock, more time contributing to the economy. Every ton of cement, steel, or grain that moves inland by train rather than truck lowers factory input costs and distributor expenses, freeing up margins for reinvestment and expansion.

This productivity dividend loops back into the inflation story. Lower transport costs help cool food prices, and with food carrying the heaviest weight in Nigeria’s inflation basket, this feeds directly into headline inflation. The Lagos-Ibadan line is thus more than a commuter service. It is the flagship of a broader rail reform agenda under the Renewed Hope government. Central to this is the Track Access Programme, which opens Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) lines to licensed operators. Lagos State is already linking its Red Line commuter rail into the corridor, while Chinese partners are piloting freight runs. By attracting private capital and easing the government’s fiscal burden, the programme is breaking open a sector long closed to outside players.

The reform also doubles as industrial policy. At the Abuja International Railway Conference in September, the NRC signed a five-year agreement with Ajaokuta Steel Company to produce rolling stock components locally-especially steel wheels. The Lagos-Ibadan line will be among the first to benefit, reducing import dependence while channelling demand into Nigeria’s long-struggling steel sector.

Energy transition is another pillar. In partnership with the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), the NRC plans to convert diesel locomotives into hybrids using liquefied natural gas, while replacing diesel generators with gas-fired alternatives. For the corridor, that means lower operating costs, reduced emissions, and new demand for Nigeria’s gas reserves. Complementing this are shuttle vehicles linking stations to nearby towns, tightening intermodal connections and feeding local economies.

Equally critical is human capital. Through agreements with universities and technical institutes, the NRC is training a new cadre of engineers and technicians in modern rail operations. The Lagos-Ibadan corridor doubles as both showcase and classroom-embedding skills alongside steel, and building the human foundation for Nigeria’s rail future.

At Obafemi Awolowo Station in Moniya, Ibadan, the promise of rail-driven growth is visible – but uneven. Business activity peaks only when the trains arrive, then quickly fades into silence until the next service. Taxi operators, tricycles, and motorcycle riders spring to life as passengers with luggage disembark, haggling over fares in scenes that reflect both the vibrancy and fragility of the station’s economy. Operators told The Nation that while their incomes have improved compared to before the station opened, the pace of growth remains far below expectations. Comrade Abraham Temitope, a cab driver who has worked at the station for three years, put it bluntly: ‘Except for trains coming down, there’s nothing here again. Immediately the train leaves, nothing else happens until the evening. The government needs to work on more trips and create facilities around the station to attract people.’

He and others argued that hotels, malls, and family-friendly spaces could help keep visitors longer and stimulate commerce. They also lamented the abandoned road linking Moniya to the Oyo-Iseyin axis, warning that the unfinished stretch damages vehicles and discourages patronage. ‘The road has been left unfixed for almost three years. It is to our detriment every day,’ Temitope added.

The General Secretary of the Micra Cab Operators, Mr. Adebayo Abiodun, echoed these concerns. He noted that only two daily trips – three on weekends – limit the economic spin-offs. ‘By now, the train should be running at least three trips every day. More trips mean more passengers, and more passengers mean more business for us all,’ he said.

Awareness is another hurdle. Abiodun observed that many residents in Ibadan and even Lagos remain unaware the service is operational. ‘Many people I carry still tell me they didn’t know the train station was working. Publicity will help bring passengers, and when they come, our businesses will grow,’ he added. Around the station, petty traders such as food vendors and snack sellers depend largely on staff and transport operators for patronage, with only occasional sales to passengers. Property values, which had spiked after the terminal opened, have since plateaued as development momentum slowed.

Challenges of maintenance and sustainability

Even as the Lagos-Ibadan line demonstrates promise, sustainability looms large. Earlier this year, a derailment on the Abuja-Kaduna line reignited fears about safety and maintenance. Although the NRC restored service far more swiftly than in the past – a sign of greater responsiveness – questions linger: can Nigeria sustain adequate maintenance funding, resist political interference, and guarantee governance discipline over the long term? ‘Infrastructure is not only about building. It is about maintaining and managing,’ noted Prof. Sam Amadi, former regulator and energy policy scholar. ‘Rail can catalyse growth, but without governance, it can also collapse.’

The Lagos-Ibadan line also forms the southern stretch of the Lagos-Kano-Maradi corridor, envisioned as a continental trade spine under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Properly linked to ports and extended inland, it could anchor Nigeria’s ambition to serve as West Africa’s logistics hub. Vice-President Kashim Shettima underscored this at the Abuja railway summit: ‘Railways connect raw materials to factories, workers to opportunities, and farmers to markets. They shape economies and societies. Every poor-looking country from China to Vietnam has used rail as a driver of development. Nigeria cannot afford to lag.’

Back at Ibadan station, as the last commuters head home and freight wagons roll north, the Lagos-Ibadan line feels like more than just steel and concrete. Each passenger carried and every ton of freight hauled chips away at Nigeria’s old reputation for inefficiency. Sustained momentum could turn this corridor into more than a transport link – into a lever for growth, integration, and renewal in a country searching for prosperity beyond oil.

Sixth Gamathon, Africa’s convention for video games and immersive media, has opened in Lagos, bringing together innovators for a week of creativity and economic opportunity.ing on October 4, it is the finale of a regional tour that has taken in Kenya, Ghana and South Africa.

Speaking on the theme, ‘Bridge’, Convener of Africacomicade, Michael Oscar, said it is aimed at connecting talent, investors and firms in Africa’s creative technology sector.

‘The regional tours in Kenya, Ghana, and South Africa have shown the huge talent and potential on the continent. Gamathon Nigeria 2025 creates bridges between regions and sectors while setting pathways for youth empowerment, jobs, and growth,’ he said.

The event features workshops, studio tours and networking, with exhibitions in video games, animation, extended reality and digital fashion. A highlight will be the pitch competition for PC and mobile game developers, offering a $2,000 prize pool and direct access to investors.

Backed by the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Lagos State agencies and private sector partners, the organiser, Africacomicade noted that Gamathon is designed to drive investment, youth empowerment and job creation in Africa’s digital creative industries.

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has launched a comprehensive strategy and roadmap for the regulation of Trans Fatty Acids (TFAs) in Nigeria. The event, which was held last Friday in Lagos, had in attendance officials from the Federal Ministry of Health, NAFDAC, industry stakeholders, civil society organisations and development partners.

Director-General NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, said the initiative was aimed at protecting Nigerians from the harmful effects of trans-fats, which are widely recognised as a major contributor to heart disease and other non-communicable diseases.

Prof. Adeyeye said that the agency must protect Nigerians from invisible dangers in their diets, adding that the strategy is not about penalizing industry, but about transitioning to healthier food systems. ‘We will support industries in reformulation, but compliance is non-negotiable,’ she noted.

On why NAFDAC decided to prioritise TFA regulation at this time, she said the roadmap was rooted in the gazetted regulation on fats and oils published in 2022.

‘Many of us in Nigeria think the more oil in the food, the better it is – no. We must reduce the oils we use in our foods and ensure they do not contain trans-fatty acids or saturated fats, which cause cardiovascular diseases. WHO has shown that almost 300,000 deaths every year are linked to trans-fatty acids. We cannot ignore this,’ she stated.

She disclosed that manufacturers have been given an 18-month moratorium since 2023 to exhaust old labels and packaging stocks, after which new labels will indicate the presence or absence of TFAs. She also stressed that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) would be carried along through capacity-building and awareness programmes.

Trans fatty acids are a type of artificial fat produced through industrial processes such as partial hydrogenation of vegetable oils. They are commonly found in baked goods, margarine, fried foods and processed snacks. According to the World Health Organization, TFAs raise ‘bad’ cholesterol, lower ‘good’ cholesterol and are linked to thousands of premature deaths globally each year.

Studies suggest that reducing TFA exposure in populations can avert thousands of premature deaths. For example, research indicates that enforcing stricter TFA limits in Nigeria could prevent about 10,000 heart disease deaths over a decade and save significant healthcare costs.

It was gathered that the roadmap provides for a phased implementation, including an 18-month moratorium granted to manufacturers to exhaust old labels before full enforcement begins on February 1, 2026. The policy also mandates clearer nutrition labelling and sets a limit of not more than two grams of TFAs per 100 grams of oils and fats, in line with international best practices. Representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria, and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission pledged their support for the implementation. Development partners such as the World Health Organization and Resolve to Save Lives (RTSL) also commended the move as a step towards safer food environments.

Industry stakeholders present expressed readiness to cooperate but called for clarity on technical standards and support for small and medium enterprises.

The roadmap, developed with input from a technical working group and validated at a stakeholders’ workshop in 2024, will guide enforcement, capacity building and public awareness campaigns. The overview of this road map was presented by Deputy Director (Food R and R)- Dr Tinuola Akinnubi

By this move, Nigeria joins countries implementing best-practice policies to eliminate industrially produced trans fats from national food supplies, in line with the World Health Organization’s global target.

The Edo State Government has announced that it has concluded plans for the effective collection and conversion of all waste into useful purposes, including power generation.

Edo Commissioner for Water and Energy Resources, Washington Osifo, disclosed this in Ologbo, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area, during an awareness campaign to mark this year’s World Rivers Day, themed ‘Clean Rivers, Healthy Communities.’

Represented by Mr. Emma Ofordu, the Commissioner urged communities to adopt responsible practices in protecting rivers and to avoid indiscriminate waste disposal.

Managing Director of the Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority (BORBDA), Dr. Olufemi Adekanmbi, also appealed to residents of Ologbo and its environs to collaborate with the authority in preserving water bodies within the catchment areas.

Adekanmbi stressed the need to stop harmful practices that degrade rivers such as Ossiomo, noting that years of abuse have reduced aquatic resources and water quality.

He reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to restoring water quality and promoting safe environmental practices, adding that the campaign was aimed at drawing global attention to the importance of rivers in sustaining life.

According to him, ‘Abuses as a result of harmful human activities, such as pollution, over extraction, damming, deforestation, and climate change, threaten their health and sustainability, thus causing great danger to human health and existence.

‘Rivers are the lifeblood of our Planet. They sustain ecosystems, provide water for agricultural and industrial use, support biodiversity, and serve as vital sources of drinking water for billions of people worldwide. They also hold cultural, spiritual, and recreational significance, enriching the lives of communities across the globe’.

Adekambi later planted some coconuts and palm fruits along the riverbank as a symbolic commitment to preserving water bodies.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has said that more governors from the opposition parties were putting finishing touches in preparation to join President Bola Tinubu in the ruling party, just as he noted that Nigerians were already seeing the positive outcomes of the Tinubu-led administration.

Akpabio stated this on Tuesday in his goodwill message at the launch of a book, titled: ‘Ten Years of Impactful Leadership of the APC Administration in Nigeria,’ written by Governor Hope Uzodimma and commissioning of projects by President Bola Tinubu in Owerri, Imo State.

Akpabio, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, said, ‘Mr President, with what you have done in the last two years, get ready to receive more governors from the opposition parties. As I speak, there are several governors in Nigeria today who are ready to be received by you.’

He stated further that Nigerians were beginning to see the positive outcomes of President Bola Tinubu, and they are saying it.

‘The students, farmers, and businessmen are all speaking on the various reforms you have brought into governance, which are now yielding results, in the overall interest and benefit of the people.

‘If we say it, they will accuse us of rubber-stamping your achievements, but the beneficiaries are the ones talking about what you have done.

‘I believe strongly in development and progress. I thank Governor Uzodimma for deciding to put history in writing, in his 10 years of impactful leadership of the APC administration in Nigeria.

‘If you don’t tell your story, others will tell it for you. Progressiveness is not in words; it is in action. The quality of works done by the Governor is of high quality, and the people of Imo State must be very, very excited,’ the Senate President said.

Speaking further, he stressed that as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State 18 years ago, he was already a progressive based on the projects he executed.

Akpabio congratulated his host and the National leadership of the party for the achievements of the party in the last 10 years.’

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday, in his 65th Independence Anniversary broadcast, paid tribute to Nigeria’s founding fathers while defending his administration’s tough economic reforms.

He admitted that Nigerians are ‘racing against time’ to fix decades of underinvestment in power, roads, and infrastructure, but assured that the country has ‘turned the corner’ towards recovery.

Tinubu also pledged more support for youth, security and social welfare, stressing his vision of a prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria.

1. Tribute to Independence Heroes – Tinubu honoured nationalist leaders like Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Ahmadu Bello, Margaret Ekpo and others, reaffirming their dream of a prosperous and united Nigeria.

2. Acknowledgement of National Progress – He highlighted advancements since 1960 in education, healthcare, infrastructure, and technology, citing the expansion from 120 secondary schools to over 23,000, and from 2 tertiary institutions to more than 690 today.

3. Resilience Through Challenges – Tinubu reflected on Nigeria’s survival of the civil war, military rule, and political crises, stressing the nation’s determination to overcome adversity.

4. Commitment to Nation-Building – He said his administration is carrying on the ‘unfinished business’ of building a stronger Nigeria, in line with the sacrifices of past leaders.

5. Inherited a Weak Economy – Tinubu stated that his government met a near-collapsed economy due to decades of policy mismanagement.

6. Bold Economic Reforms – He justified ending fuel subsidies and unifying the exchange rate system, noting these steps freed funds for education, healthcare, security, agriculture, and infrastructure.

7. Economic Recovery Signs – Nigeria recorded 4.23% GDP growth in Q2 2025 (fastest in 4 years), inflation dropped to 20.12%, and external reserves grew to $42bn.

8. 12 Key Economic Milestones –

o Record non-oil revenue above ?20 trillion by August 2025.

o Debt service-to-revenue ratio reduced from 97% to below 50%.

o ‘Ways and Means’ debt repaid.

o Foreign reserves at a 6-year high.

o Tax-to-GDP ratio up to 13.5%.

o 5 consecutive quarters of trade surplus, with non-oil exports rising to 48%.

o Oil production rebounded to 1.68m bpd, with local PMS refining resuming.

o Naira stabilised; multiple FX rates abolished.

o ?330bn disbursed to 8m poor households.

o Coal and solid minerals sector booming.

o Major rail, road, seaport, and airport projects ongoing.

o Stock market hit record highs; credit rating upgraded; CBN cut interest rates.

9. Infrastructure Gap Acknowledged – Tinubu admitted Nigeria still lacks sufficient electricity, modern ports, and world-class roads due to past underinvestment, but vowed to correct this.

10. Improved Security Situation – He praised the armed forces for victories against Boko Haram, IPOB/ESN, and banditry, noting peace has returned to many communities in the North-East and North-West.

11. Youth Empowerment Measures – He called youths Nigeria’s greatest asset and highlighted programmes such as:

NELFUND: Over 510,000 students benefitted with nearly ?100bn in loans.

Credicorp: ?30bn loans granted for vehicles, housing, solar energy, and devices.

YouthCred: NYSC members accessing consumer credit.

iDICE: Multi-billion Naira programme to support digital and creative industries.

12. Support for Vulnerable Citizens – Over 8 million households have benefitted from social investment cash transfers.

13. Global Recognition of Reforms – Sovereign credit ratings improved, foreign investors are showing confidence, and the Nigerian stock market hit unprecedented highs.

14. Central Bank Policy Shift – Interest rates were cut for the first time in 5 years, reflecting restored macroeconomic stability.

15. Message of Hope Amid Hardship – Tinubu acknowledged inflation and rising living costs but insisted reforms were necessary to avoid bankruptcy and secure the future.

16. Call for Productivity and Patriotism – He urged Nigerians to produce more, patronise made-in-Nigeria goods, pay taxes, and reduce dependence on imports.

17. Unity and Shared Responsibility – He appealed for collaboration across federal, state, and local governments, stressing that everyone must play a role in nation-building.

18. Vision of a Self-Reliant Future – He assured Nigerians that ‘the dawn of a new, prosperous, self-reliant Nigeria’ is here, closing with a prayer for God’s continued blessing on the nation.

Singer Spyro has recounted an emotional encounter with his longtime mentor, veteran musician Faze, during a visit to his home.

According to Spyro, the meeting left him overwhelmed, prompting tears as he reflected on the profound influence Faze has had on his musical journey and personal growth.

He revealed that listening to Faze’s old songs after the visit stirred deep memories and inspired his resolve to create music that carries the same richness and emotional depth.

Sharing his experience on X, Spyro wrote, ‘Yesterday I lost every ounce of steeze and composure as Faze came to my house. When he left, I started playing old songs, and I lost it; I cried like a baby. Those were the songs that formed me, songs that moved my heart. This is what I feel the new generation music lacks, which is what I am trying to bring back with my new album, ‘The Men, the Boys and Your Guy.’

In response, Faze praised Spyro’s authenticity, describing him as ‘totally different and too real,’ and commended him for staying true to himself.

He replied, ‘Can’t lie.’ I’ve got so much for this young man. One very important thing you guys need to know is that this guy is totally different and too real. @spyro__official I want you to know really i appreciate you and appreci ‘HATE’ anybody wey nor like you (if there’s a word like that) you didn’t have to do what you did for me yesterday. You and I know what I’m talking about. Una kuku know say I nor like take but this one I must talk am later. God bless you. Much.’

Kaduna-based NNL side, Ranchers Bees FC, will continue their build up to the upcoming Nigeria National League season with friendly games with EFCC and City FC in Abuja .

As part of their meticulous preparations, the team has scheduled two high-profile pre-season friendly matches in Abuja with the test game against EFCC FC coming up on October 4th before the tie with City FC the following day.

The game would help to fine-tune the team skills and build team cohesion ahead of their NNL opener against Gombe United in November.

The team’s top hierarchies, backed by Super Eagles striker Sadiq Umar and Lawmaker Bello El-Rufai, have spared no effort in providing the necessary resources to ensure a smooth transition into the new season.

With Sadiq Umar’s decade-long experience playing professional football in top European leagues, including Croatia, Italy, Holland, Serbia, and Spain, the team is poised to showcase a high level of professionalism.

Football enthusiasts in Kaduna State and beyond can expect an exciting season from Ranchers Bees FC, as they aim to make a strong impression in the NNL.

Since he assumed office on May 29, 2023, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has placed infrastructure at the centre of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda. In two years, his administration has committed resources to roads, bridges, rail, ports, airports and power; signalling a determination to move beyond a past marked by stalled projects and unmet promises. The effort is aimed at reconnecting the country’s regions and laying firmer foundations for economic growth.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, stretching 700 kilometres across nine states, captures the scale and audacity of this ambition. With N15 trillion committed and the first 30 kilometres inaugurated in Lagos in May 2025, it is designed not merely as a road but as a new backbone for commerce, tourism and coastal development. Yet, it is only the flagship of a broader drive. From the near-complete Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the advancing Abuja-Kano dual carriageway to resurgent ports and a power sector that, in 2025 achieved record generation, the government is rewriting the story of national infrastructure.

Roads and bridges reconnecting a nation

Nowhere is this transformation more visible than on Nigeria’s roads. The Federal Ministry of Works reports that over N2.2 trillion has been invested in road projects since May 2023, with 440 projects ongoing, 260 palliative works completed, and 29 legacy initiatives have been undertaken.

The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a 127-kilometre corridor central to Nigeria’s road network, is now between 90 and 92 per cent complete as of September 2025. When the Tinubu administration took office in May 2023, the project, first awarded in 2013, stood at roughly 70 to 75 per cent, with major sections of the Lagos-Sagamu axis still under reconstruction. Since then, progress has accelerated under a tighter funding schedule and closer supervision by the Federal Ministry of Works.

Currently, all main carriageways are fully open, cutting average travel time from three to four hours down to roughly two to two-and-a-half hours, a reduction of up to 35 per cent. What remains are about 10 to 15 kilometres of service lanes, four to five pedestrian bridges, toll plazas, street lighting and landscaping, with final delivery targeted for the first quarter of 2026.

The Abuja-Kano dual carriageway, covering 375 kilometres, is 65 to 70 per cent complete. Section 2 (Kaduna-Zaria, 73 km) is fully operational, Section 3 (Zaria-Kano, 137 km) is nearing 90 per cent, while Section 1 (Abuja-Kaduna, 165 km) is 30 per cent complete. During his September 2025 inspection, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, assured Nigerians that ‘the progress is steady, and this road will soon match international standards.’

In the East, the Enugu-Port Harcourt dual carriageway (190 km) is 75 to 80 per cent delivered, with the Umuahia-Aba section opened in June 2025 and the Enugu-bound section scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2026. The Lokoja-Benin corridor (253 km), re-launched in February 2025 with N305 billion, has reached between 60 to 65 per cent completion, while the Kano-Maiduguri Road (540 km), long delayed, is now over 55 per cent, with key sections projected for completion in 2028.

Landmark bridges have also featured prominently. The Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos underwent emergency repairs from November 2023 to April 2024 at a cost of N21 billion. In August 2025, a N3.8 trillion structural overhaul began, with Section 1 targeted for completion in mid-2026.

The Second Niger Bridge, inaugurated in May 2023, had its access roads flagged off in March 2025 to ease connectivity between Anambra and Delta states. Across the Southeast, projects such as the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway, the Abakpa Flyover and Akpoha Bridge are in various stages of rehabilitation.

Rail: Linking regions by steel

Nigeria’s rail development has gathered pace under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway (157 km), operational since 2021, continues to expand freight capacity, with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and APM Terminals flagging off a new container service from Apapa Port to the Moniya Freight Yard in Ibadan in February 2025. The cargo trains, running three times a week, can haul up to 35 wagons of 40-foot containers or 70 wagons of 20-foot containers; a development which NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa said would ‘enhance import and export activities, providing a more efficient and convenient mode of transportation.’

In 2024 alone, NRC recorded 362,327 tons of containerised freight moved via both narrow and standard gauge systems. This underscores the sector’s renewed momentum. Alongside this, the Abuja-Kaduna line has undergone track doubling and signal upgrades since 2024.

The $1.8 billion Kano-Maradi Line (284 km) is 60 per cent complete with the Kano-Daura section targeting 2026 delivery timeline, while rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Eastern Rail Line (1,400 km) has accelerated since 2023, with Sections I-IV aiming for a 2028 finish.

In August 2025, the Federal Government announced a proposal for a high-speed rail network connecting Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt covering over 2,500 kilometres, with $60 billion in funding discussions led by the Asian Development Bank.

Reforms in the maritime sector have doubled port revenues from N424.2 billion in 2023 to N893.6 billion in 2024. The Tin Can Island Port Complex is undergoing a $1 billion reconstruction to integrate with Apapa and Lekki ports, while Onne, Calabar and Warri ports are being modernised.

At the inauguration of the Lekki Deep Sea Port Access Road in May 2025, President Tinubu declared: ‘We are changing the story of infrastructure development in Nigeria through the execution of tangible projects across the country.’ The port, with a capacity of 2.7 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) is positioned as a central hub for West African trade. Kano and Kaduna inland ports also resumed operations in 2025, easing trade for the northern region.

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola affirmed in May 2025 that ‘Nigeria’s seaports have been repositioned as engines of economic growth.’

The power sector has seen notable progress. In March 2025, generation peaked at 5,713 megawatts. The Presidential Power Initiative with Siemens has added over 700 megawatts since 2023, targeting 4,000MW by 2026.

The N700 billion Presidential Metering Initiative; delivered 300,000 smart meters by 2025, with World Bank support, while the African Development Bank committed $1.1 billion to off-grid electrification in Northeast; targeting five million new connections by 2026.

The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu said in April 2025: ‘This government has brought renewed clarity, vigour and urgency to power sector transformation.’

Airports: Modernising gateways

Airports have also been prioritised for modernisation. The Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA, Lagos) inaugurated its domestic terminal in 2023 and began $500 million rehabilitation in July 2025 under a 10-year concession, targeting 2027 completion.

In Abuja, work has progressed on the second runway of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, backed by N10 billion in federal allocations. Upgrades are ongoing at Enugu, Kaduna, Kano, Maiduguri, and Benin airports, covering runway works, terminals and utilities.

Agriculture: Mechanisation infrastructure

In June 2025, President Tinubu launched the Renewed Hope Agricultural Mechanisation Programme with 2,000 tractors, 10 combine harvesters, 12 mobile workshops and 9,000 implements supplied under the Belarus partnership. The initiative, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, is designed to cultivate over 550,000 hectares, generate two million metric tons of food and create 16,000 jobs.

The tractors will be distributed through a service provider model to ensure smallholder farmers gain access, while workshops and spare part depots are being set up as supporting infrastructure.

Looking ahead

The administration recognises the hurdles. Funding gaps, security concerns and the challenge of maintaining new infrastructure continue to shadow progress. Yet, the political will behind the Renewed Hope Agenda has given momentum to projects that once languished.

As President Tinubu declared in September 2025, ‘infrastructure projects will cover all regions, as no Nigerian is second-class and no region is left behind.’

From the concrete pavement of highways to the cranes reshaping seaports and the new sub-stations lighting up communities, Nigeria is on the path of renewal. The journey remains long, but the foundation for a modern infrastructure landscape is being laid steadily and in some cases, audaciously.

On Friday, last week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu turned his gaze south-westward to the sprawling city of Ibadan. Over two years since his assumption of office, this would be the president’s first berth in Ibadan, the political and spiritual capital of the Yoruba nation. Just as Kaduna spoke to his national reach the week before, Ibadan speaks to his Southwest base. It is a return not merely to a city, but to a crucible of Yoruba identity, politics, and destiny.

Ibadan is no ordinary city. It is the heartbeat of Yoruba politics and identity, a vast urban sprawl steeped in tradition, intellect, and culture. Here, history drips from every corner – from Mapo Hall, where nationalist firebrands once roused the masses, to Cocoa House, the towering emblem of the Western Region’s prosperity and vision.

Ibadan was the capital of the old Western Region, the epicentre of progressive leadership from where Chief Obafemi Awolowo and his contemporaries presided over the affairs of the region with revolutionary zeal and pioneered free education, agricultural revolutions, and industrial transformation. To the Yoruba, Ibadan is both fortress and fountain – a city where politics is born, nurtured, and projected onto the national stage.

It is into this arena of weighty symbolism that the president arrived to witness the crowning of Senator Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. The Olubadan stool is unlike any other in Yorubaland – a uniquely structured succession line that embodies the Yoruba love of order, merit, and patience. That Tinubu stood in solidarity with the people at such a sacred moment is itself a reaffirmation of his bond with tradition and with the Yoruba nation.

In Ibadan, tradition met power. Serving Southwest governors showed up from Oyo, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo. Former governors and political heavy weights also showed up. The Sultan of Sokoto and very prominent Yoruba first class monarchs from the Alaafin to the Soun and of course Oba Elegushi of Lagos.

Politics without bitterness: Tinubu and Ladoja

The crowning of Rasheed Ladoja as Olubadan carries a personal resonance for President Tinubu. Two decades ago, when then President Olusegun Obasanjo orchestrated Ladoja’s illegal impeachment in 2003, using only a handful of lawmakers, it was Tinubu – then governor of Lagos – who stood against that brazen assault on democracy.

Ladoja, hounded from his office by Obasanjo and denied justice, found sanctuary in Lagos. President Tinubu not only gave him refuge but also lent him the courage and political cover to resist. Against the odds, with President Tinubu’s backing, Ladoja fought his way back through the courts, and the judiciary eventually restored him to power.

This bond, forged in the fire of political persecution and resilience, now finds symbolic closure in Ibadan. Tinubu did not arrive merely as president; he arrived as an old ally, standing with the Olubadan Ladoja on the day of his ultimate elevation to the Olubadan throne.

At the event on Friday at the historic Mapo hall, President Tinubu made remarkable revelation reminiscent of the Abeokuta ‘Emilokan’ declaration. He described the ascension of Oba Ladoja to the throne of his forebears as another ’emilokan’ moment. The message was not lost. Just as the comparison was obvious. His journey to be Olubadan took him 33 years to climb on the long succession ladder just like the President’s journey to the Presidency: the fight for democracy, the sacrifices, the people he built, the many twists and turns and eventually now, the Presidency.

Ibadan was also significant on the coronation day. From the hills of Mapo, President Tinubu delivered a powerful political message of renewed hope. ‘Today, I am honoured to bring the cheering news that our economy has turned around and there is now light at the end of the tunnel.’ Coming from the Commander-in-Chief, the man who knows and calls the shots, it was an important message. It was a validation of the reforms mantra of this administration and the positive impacts of the reforms.

The political capital of the Yoruba Nation

Ibadan represents more than just politics; it is spirit and identity. It has produced poets, warriors, intellectuals, and statesmen whose reach extended far beyond Yoruba land. In every era, Ibadan has stood as the Yoruba voice in Nigeria’s political orchestra. From the days of Adegoke Adelabu’s fiery ‘penkelemesi’ populism to the statesmanship of Lam Adesina and the reformist zeal of governors like Ladoja himself, Ibadan has set the rhythm of Yoruba political expression.

President Tinubu’s presence at the coronation of Olubadan therefore carried the weight of cultural affirmation. It told a people that their heritage matters at the highest levels of power, and that the leader of the nation stands not above tradition, but within it.

Politics of bridges, not walls

Like Kaduna in the north, Ibadan has been the crucible of alignments and re-alignments in the southwest. It was here that old rivalries found resolution and fresh alliances were born, shaping the destiny of the Yoruba within the federation. The president’s return to this theatre of history is a reminder that politics is not about conquest but connection; not about drawing lines, but building bridges.

For the Yoruba political elite, Tinubu’s presence is validation – proof that the son of Lagos remains attuned to the heartbeat of his cultural kin, even as he governs the entire federation. For ordinary Ibadan people, it is a reassurance that their president, despite the burdens of national office, has not forgotten the city that remains the Yoruba axis of history and destiny.

The city of Ibadan was on lock down. The streets lined with excited Oyo citizens and Nigerians welcoming and cheering on President Tinubu. To Mr. President, Oyo State Resounded Loud and Clear- ‘Ekaabo o’.

Ibadan’s genius has always been its ability to marry tradition with progress, culture with politics, history with modernity. Its monarchy is as revered as its intellectual traditions. Its politics, though fiercely competitive, has often found equilibrium in Yoruba solidarity. President Tinubu’s visit, then, was not just ceremonial. It is a subtle but profound embrace of this heritage – a signal that his politics remains grounded in the values of loyalty, patience, and cultural continuity that the Yoruba hold dear.

The significance of the moment

In Kaduna, Tinubu broke myths and dissolved doubts, receiving resounding political validation. In Ibadan, he affirmed cultural solidarity, paid homage to tradition, and consolidated his role as both President of Nigeria and a proud son of the Yoruba nation. The crowning of Rasheed Ladoja as Olubadan provided the perfect canvas for this: a celebration of continuity, loyalty, and unity.

And just as Kaduna reminded Nigeria of northern political sophistication, Ibadan offered the world a lesson in Yoruba resilience, heritage, and leadership. In Ibadan, loyalty met tradition, politics embraced culture, and history came full circle. And in that convergence, Tinubu’s leadership was reaffirmed once more – not by force of power, but by the enduring power of friendship, loyalty, sacrifice and heritage.