Nigeria requires an estimated $3 trillion in the next 30 years to close the infrastructure gap and achieve the level of development necessary for sustained economic growth, according to Abbas Tajudeen, Speaker of the House of Representatives. Tajudeen highlighted the urgent need for investments in key sectors, including roads, power, housing, healthcare, and education.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony for the construction of an access road from Ring Road 1 to Judges’ Quarters in Abuja on Tuesday, Tajudeen emphasized the significance of addressing the country’s infrastructure challenges. He noted that Abuja, in particular, faces a growing infrastructure deficit, with its population increasing at an annual rate of 5%.
Represented by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Tajudeen commended the efforts of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in tackling infrastructure issues. He pointed to the government’s launch of the National Infrastructure Plan, which focuses on major areas such as road construction, rail expansion, power generation, and housing development. Among the key projects, Tajudeen mentioned the completion of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge, both of which have enhanced trade and connectivity between regions.
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In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has also made significant strides in improving infrastructure, according to Tajudeen. The speaker praised Wike for initiating several projects to meet the critical needs of the city’s expanding population.
He highlighted the minister’s efforts in road construction, urban renewal, and environmental sustainability as examples of a clear vision for transforming Abuja into a world-class city. Tajudeen noted that ongoing projects, such as the rehabilitation of major roads and the removal of illegal structures, are part of Wike’s commitment to making Abuja not only a beautiful city but also a functional and efficient one.
These initiatives, Tajudeen concluded, demonstrate the government’s determination to close the infrastructure gap and lay a solid foundation for Nigeria’s long-term growth and development.
