The Budget Office of the Federation has revealed that the North-West geopolitical zone is the biggest beneficiary of projects approved by the Federal Executive Council under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. According to the office, the zone secured N5.97 trillion worth of projects, representing more than 40 percent of the total N10.92 trillion approvals made so far.
The Director-General of the Budget Office, Mr. Tanimu Yakubu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday. He explained that a chart that went viral on social media, which appeared to show Lagos State receiving the bulk of federal projects, was misleading. Yakubu clarified that many of the projects listed under Lagos are in fact national highways, transport corridors, and strategic roads that connect several parts of Nigeria.
He pointed out that Lagos-only projects, such as the fencing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, rehabilitation works on Carter Bridge, and other localized upgrades, amount to about N1.2 trillion. The rest of the N2.7 trillion linked to Lagos in the viral chart are actually national projects designed to benefit the entire federation.
“The viral chart bundles together national infrastructure—federal highways, coastal transport corridors, and legacy roads—and labels them ‘Lagos-only projects.’ By that logic, the Kano–Maiduguri expressway could be called a ‘Maiduguri-only project.’ It is a sleight of hand that ignores the truth: these are national arteries, not local trophies,” Yakubu said.
He then gave a breakdown of how the projects were allocated across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. The South-South received N2.41 trillion, North-Central N1.13 trillion, South-West (excluding Lagos) N604 billion, South-East N407 billion, and North-East N400 billion. This distribution, according to him, clearly showed that the North-West received the largest share.
Yakubu highlighted the revival of the 255-megawatt Kaduna Power Plant, conceived during the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua but later abandoned, as one of the major projects set for the North-West. Other key projects include the Kaduna–Kano expressway, the Kano–Maiduguri highway, and the Sokoto–Illela corridor. He added that investments in education and security were also part of the projects earmarked for the region.
The Federal Government also reaffirmed its position on fairness, equity, and justice in the allocation of national projects, appointments, and opportunities under President Bola Tinubu. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mallam Mohammed Idris, said the administration had demonstrated a strong commitment to balanced development across the six geopolitical zones.
According to Idris, projects such as the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Badagry–Sokoto Highway, and the Trans-Saharan Highway are examples of government’s efforts to ensure no region is left behind. He noted that over 250,000 jobs are expected to be created nationwide through these infrastructure projects.
The government’s latest disclosure has stirred renewed debate among Nigerians about equity in the distribution of federal resources and the impact of infrastructure projects on development. Analysts say the success of these initiatives will depend on proper execution, transparency, and inclusiveness, as past projects have often been delayed or abandoned.
As the administration presses forward with its infrastructure agenda, many Nigerians will be watching closely to see how these multi-trillion-naira projects improve road connectivity, power supply, education, and job creation. The stakes remain high, especially as the country grapples with economic challenges, inflation, and security concerns.
