President Bola Tinubu has robustly responded to criticism, particularly from opposition leaders, over new loans the nation has accessed from worldwide establishments and banks.
In an essay titled “From reforms to delivery: Our infrastructure investment and growth strategy,” to be revealed on Nigerian information platforms, President Tinubu wrote: “The real question is not how much we borrow, but what we build, what value we create and what future we leave behind.”
President Tinubu recognized the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Trans-Sahara Superhighway, electrical energy grid upgrades and the modernisation of key industrial ports in Lagos as main tasks anticipated to strengthen Nigeria’s productive capability.
He mentioned the tasks, alongside investments in healthcare, schooling and vocational coaching, would join financial areas, scale back logistics prices, unlock agricultural and industrial potential and entice non-public funding.
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is anticipated to chop logistics prices alongside its hall by 15 to twenty per cent. It may add as much as two per cent to Nigeria’s GDP via expanded commerce, tourism, and industrial exercise.
The challenge can be projected to generate about 100,000 direct jobs in building and engineering, alongside greater than 150,000 oblique jobs in logistics, supplies and associated providers.
“We are not simply building highways. We are opening economic corridors, connecting markets, unlocking industries and reshaping Nigeria’s economic geography,” the President mentioned.
He mentioned the administration’s ambition to construct a $1 trillion economic system by 2030 would require sustained infrastructure funding to help greater productiveness, industrialisation and commerce.
“We cannot build a USD 1 trillion economy with infrastructure designed for an economy a fraction of that size,” Tinubu mentioned.
He wrote that enhancing financial indicators and rising worldwide investor confidence are creating alternatives for Nigeria to draw long-term funding and broaden crucial infrastructure.
The President mentioned the financial reforms his administration launched in May 2023 helped restore macroeconomic stability, strengthen public funds, and enhance the nation’s standing in worldwide monetary markets.
He mentioned a $1 trillion economic system wouldn’t emerge by declaration alone however should be constructed via sustained funding, greater productiveness, industrialisation, and commerce, stressing that infrastructure improvement can be crucial to attaining the goal by 2030.
In an article titled “From reforms to delivery: Our infrastructure investment and growth strategy,” Tinubu mentioned actual Gross Domestic Product development reached 4.43 per cent within the second quarter of 2026, whereas headline inflation fell to 14.63 per cent in September from 20.98 per cent a yr earlier.
He additionally mentioned gross exterior reserves rose to $55.1 billion as of October 9, 2026, together with about $46 billion in internet reserves, whereas the tax-to-GDP ratio elevated to 12.5 per cent from seven per cent.
Tinubu mentioned actual Gross Domestic Product development reached 4.43 per cent within the second quarter of 2026, whereas headline inflation fell to 14.63 per cent in September from 20.98 per cent a yr earlier.
The President attributed the enhancements to measures together with petrol subsidy removing, alternate charge unification, tax reforms and coordinated efforts to deal with inflation.
“The decisions taken since 2023 were difficult but necessary,” he mentioned, referring to the reforms.
Tinubu mentioned the positive factors have strengthened Nigeria’s means to draw funding and finance tasks that help long-term financial development.
“Confidence has a price; our cost of borrowing is going down, and the country risk premium has drastically decreased,” he mentioned.
The President cited constructive assessments by worldwide credit standing businesses as proof of improved confidence within the economic system.
“These are not political endorsements; they are independent assessments by global rating agencies, index providers, regulators and investors, recognising stronger external reserves, improved macroeconomic management and greater financial credibility,” Tinubu mentioned.
According to the President, the improved standing may assist Nigeria entice extra institutional traders, safe longer-term financing and scale back borrowing prices.
He mentioned the administration was shifting public borrowing away from financing short-term fiscal pressures in direction of investments that may generate financial returns, create jobs and broaden alternatives for future generations.
The President mentioned the federal government was additionally pursuing longer-term financing preparations to match the lifespan of infrastructure belongings, scale back refinancing pressures and safe extra aggressive funding for productive investments.
President Tinubu mentioned Nigeria should convert renewed worldwide confidence into capital expenditure, accomplished infrastructure and lasting financial advantages for residents.
He recognized 5 priorities for the subsequent section of the Federal Executive Council’s financial technique: meals affordability and power worth stability; price range harmonisation and monetary self-discipline; completion of high-impact tasks and funding in crucial infrastructure; an improved financial coverage framework and regulatory effectivity; and focused family help alongside funding in human improvement.
The President harassed that the success of the present administration’s financial schemes can be measured by accomplished tasks, elevated funding, employment era and improved dwelling requirements.
“Securing financing is not the achievement. Completing the project, delivering value and improving the lives of Nigerians is the achievement,” he mentioned.
He added that the nation’s financial ambition should be supported by accountable borrowing and investments that create lasting alternatives for future generations.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
October 29, 2026
