- Says Completed, Ongoing Highway Projects Restoring Economic Activities
- Insists Administration Inherited Decades Of Infrastructure Decay
- Urges Nigerians To Judge Government By Visible Progress Rather Than Rhetoric
The Presidency has defended the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s massive investment in road infrastructure across Nigeria’s North-East, insisting that the projects are clear evidence that the Renewed Hope Agenda is delivering tangible results despite decades of neglect inherited by the government.
In a statement titled “President Tinubu’s North-East Road Revolution: Rebuilding Hope Through Infrastructure Renewal,” Special Adviser on Media and Public Communications, Sunday Dare, argued that the administration should be judged by its visible achievements rather than criticism, stressing that rebuilding Nigeria’s infrastructure could not be accomplished overnight.
According to him, President Tinubu inherited deteriorated federal highways, infrastructure deficits, insecurity-induced destruction and climate-related damage that had accumulated over several decades.
Dare declared, “No objective observer can deny that Nigeria inherited decades of infrastructure decay, deteriorated federal highways, insecurity-induced destruction, and the compounding effects of climate-related disasters.”
He added that roads which once served as economic lifelines had gradually become symbols of neglect, insisting that reversing such damage required “patience, strategic planning, fiscal discipline and unwavering political will.”
The presidential spokesman said since assuming office in May 2023, Tinubu had opted for what he described as deliberate and strategic interventions instead of cosmetic projects.
“Rather than resorting to cosmetic interventions, his administration has embarked on deliberate and structured efforts to restore critical infrastructure across the federation,” Dare said.
He maintained that through the Federal Ministry of Works under the leadership of Works Minister David Umahi, the government had significantly increased the rehabilitation, reconstruction and expansion of federal roads, particularly across the insurgency-hit North-East.
Highlighting completed projects, Dare listed the rehabilitation of the Jimeta Bridge in Adamawa State, construction of the Cham-Numan Bridge, rehabilitation of the Kashimbila-Takum-Chachanji Road in Taraba State, the first phase of the Yola-Hong-Mubi Road, rehabilitation of the Bauchi-Gombe Road and repairs on flood-damaged sections of the Kano-Maiduguri Trunk Road.
According to him, the projects have improved connectivity, reduced travel time, lowered transportation costs and boosted access to healthcare, education and markets.
“Every rehabilitated bridge and reconstructed highway represents renewed opportunity for farmers, traders, students, transporters, and businesses whose livelihoods depend on reliable road networks,” he said.
Dare also pointed to several ongoing strategic road projects, including the Kano-Maiduguri Highway, Bali-Serti-Gashaka-Gembu Road, Potiskum-Jakusko-Gashua Road, Gombe-Biu Road, Bama-Banki Road, Dikwa-Gamboru Ngala Road, Toungo-Karamti Road, Jimeta-Mayoine-Mayo Belwa Road and the second phase of the Yola-Hong-Mubi Road rehabilitation.
He said the projects would stimulate investment, strengthen interstate commerce, improve mobility and deepen national integration.
The presidential aide further praised the administration’s emergency response to flood-damaged infrastructure across the North-East, noting interventions on the Bama-Banki corridor, Dikwa-Gamboru Road, Kaga-Gubio Road, flood mitigation works in Damasak and rehabilitation of damaged bridges and culverts across Adamawa, Taraba, Bauchi, Gombe and Yobe states.
According to him, the interventions demonstrate that the government is not only constructing new roads but also preserving existing infrastructure critical to economic activities.
“Infrastructure development must therefore be understood beyond asphalt and concrete. Behind every kilometre of reconstructed highway lies improved livelihoods, expanded business opportunities, enhanced food security, increased investor confidence, and stronger national cohesion,” Dare stated.
He commended Umahi and officials of the Federal Ministry of Works for what he described as quality execution of road projects despite prevailing economic constraints.
While acknowledging that some Nigerians desire faster results, Dare maintained that decades of infrastructure deficits could not be erased within one administration.
“Years of neglect cannot be reversed within a single budget cycle or even one term. Nation-building is a gradual process that requires sustained investment, institutional reforms, fiscal discipline, and consistent leadership,” he said.
He urged critics to recognise what he described as measurable progress already recorded across the North-East.
“Constructive criticism is essential in a democracy, but fairness demands recognition of genuine progress where it exists,” Dare said.
According to him, the growing number of completed, ongoing and emergency road projects shows that the Tinubu administration is actively addressing infrastructure challenges rather than merely discussing them.
He concluded that the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda is increasingly being defined by visible infrastructure projects and not rhetoric.
“The message is clear: rebuilding Nigeria is a marathon, not a sprint. It demands patience from citizens, diligence from public officials, and sustained commitment from leadership,” Dare said.
He added, “Every completed bridge, rehabilitated highway, reconstructed corridor and emergency intervention represents a step closer to a more connected, secure and prosperous nation.”
