A senior Nigerian official has defended the federal government’s approach to infrastructure development, asserting that road projects nationwide are prioritized for their economic impact rather than regional favoritism. Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, Senior Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Print Media, addressed claims of inequity during a Monday appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, emphasizing that projects under the current administration aim to benefit all Nigerians.
The remarks came in response to criticism from Rabiu Kwankwaso, the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), who accused the Tinubu-led government of disproportionately channeling limited resources toward road developments in southern Nigeria—the president’s home region—while neglecting the north. Abdulaziz rejected the allegations, stressing that infrastructure decisions are guided by national interests. “Projects should be seen as national assets, not tied to geography,” he stated. “The critical question is their economic value. Justice and fairness are upheld, and no region is disadvantaged.”
Kwankwaso had specifically cited the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Road, a key artery in the northwest, as an example of alleged neglect, claiming construction had stalled. Abdulaziz countered that work on the route is ongoing, underscoring its importance for regional connectivity. He also drew parallels between northern and southern projects, noting that the Sokoto-Badagry Road—spanning from the northwest to the southwest—holds comparable significance to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road in the south, which aims to boost trade and tourism along the Atlantic shoreline.
While acknowledging the historical sensitivities around Nigeria’s regional divides, Abdulaziz insisted the administration’s infrastructure strategy seeks to unify the country. “Scrutiny should focus on how roads stimulate commerce, link communities, and create jobs—not where they’re located,” he said. The debate reflects broader tensions over resource allocation in Africa’s most populous nation, where infrastructure investments are often viewed through the lens of ethnic and regional politics.
Officials have yet to provide detailed timelines or budgets for the contested projects, but the government’s repeated emphasis on “economic benefits” signals an intent to frame infrastructure development as a tool for national cohesion rather than partisan gain. As construction continues, observers note that visible progress on key routes in both regions may prove pivotal in shaping public perception of the administration’s equity claims.
