By Franklin Adole
The Federal Government yesterday insisted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been fair to all sections of the country in the distribution of federal projects, appointments, and opportunities, dismissing what it described as insinuations, half-truths, and fake claims of regional bias.
In a statement issued in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the administration has been guided from inception by the principles of fairness, justice, and equity, stressing that no part of Nigeria has been left out in the ongoing national renewal.
According to Idris, the perception being pushed in some quarters is false, as the Tinubu government has demonstrated “uncommon commitment to balanced development and inclusivity” since assuming office. He said capital projects have been shared equitably across the six geopolitical zones, noting that in addition to various initiatives by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, all regions now have Regional Development Commissions to drive growth. While the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway is coursing through the South, he said, the Badagry–Sokoto Superhighway is already under construction in the North, proving the balance in infrastructure rollout.
The minister pointed to simultaneous projects across the federation—from highways, bridges, rail, and power—to thousands of rehabilitated primary healthcare centres, all aimed at human capital and social infrastructure. He noted that ₦150 billion has been secured for the Kano light rail, and ₦100 billion for Kaduna, alongside metro projects in Lagos and Ogun, with a combined potential to create over 250,000 jobs.
Citing data, Idris disclosed that the Northwest is in fact the biggest beneficiary of Tinubu’s infrastructure approvals, with ₦5.97 trillion—over 40 percent of the total—while other regions also receive significant allocations: South-South ₦2.41 trillion; North Central ₦1.13 trillion; South West (excluding Lagos) ₦604 billion; South East ₦407 billion; and North East ₦400 billion. He added that of the total length of ongoing legacy roads, the North accounts for 52 percent and the South 48 percent.
The minister reeled out an extensive list of ongoing works across the North and South, from the dualisation of Abuja–Kaduna–Kano and Sokoto–Gusau–Zaria roads, to the Enugu–Onitsha and 2nd Niger Bridge access roads, the Eleme–Onne road in Rivers, the Oyo–Ogbomoso–Ilorin expressway, and the Bodo–Bonny road with 12 bridges. He also highlighted major rail interventions, the revival of the 255MW Kaduna Power Plant, progress on the AKK Gas Project, and renewed oil exploration in the Kolmani region of Bauchi and Gombe States.
Idris stressed that Tinubu is not building “local trophies” but national infrastructure that unites the country. While Lagos is rightly upgraded as the nation’s commercial hub, he said the Northwest has received the lion’s share of approvals, making the charge of sectionalism untenable.
On appointments, the minister argued that inclusivity and competence remain central, with capable Nigerians from every part of the country being called to serve. He pointed to the establishment of five new Regional Development Commissions and the creation of the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development as further evidence of Tinubu’s even-handedness.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has not only kept faith with Nigerians but has proven himself to be a fair, pragmatic, and consequential reformer,” Idris declared. “His leadership is inclusive, his vision is unifying, and his commitment to equity and justice is unwavering. Nigerians can rest assured that under his watch, no part of this country will be left behind.”