President Bola Tinubu has highlighted the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Trans-Sahara Superhighway, electricity grid upgrades, and the modernisation of key commercial ports in Lagos as some of the deliverables from new loans that Nigeria has accessed from international institutions and banks.
The highlights come in response to criticisms about the loans from some Nigerians, especially opposition leaders.
In an essay titled “From reforms to delivery: Our infrastructure investment and growth strategy,” published on Nigerian news 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 identified major projects expected to strengthen Nigeria’s productive capacity, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Trans-Sahara Superhighway, electricity grid upgrades, and the modernisation of key commercial ports in Lagos.
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He said these projects, alongside investments in healthcare, education, and vocational training, would connect economic regions, reduce logistics costs, unlock agricultural and industrial potential, and attract private investment.
Boosting economic growth and job creation
The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is expected to cut logistics costs along its corridor by 15% to 20% and could add up to 2% to Nigeria’s GDP through expanded trade, tourism, and industrial activity.
The project is also projected to generate about 100,000 direct jobs in construction and engineering, alongside more than 150,000 indirect jobs in logistics, materials, and related services.
”We are not simply building highways. We are opening economic corridors, connecting markets, unlocking industries and reshaping Nigeria’s economic geography,” said President Tinubu.
Targeting a USD1 trillion economy
He stated that the administration’s ambition to build a USD1 trillion economy by 2030 would require sustained infrastructure investment to support higher productivity, industrialisation, and trade.
”We cannot build a USD 1 trillion economy with infrastructure designed for an economy a fraction of that size,” said President Tinubu.
He wrote that improving economic indicators and growing international investor confidence are creating opportunities for Nigeria to attract long-term investment and expand critical infrastructure.
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Macroeconomic stability and reform gains
The President said the economic reforms introduced in May 2023 helped restore macroeconomic stability, strengthen public finances, and improve the country’s standing in international financial markets.
Real Gross Domestic Product growth reached 4.43% in the second quarter of 2026, while headline inflation fell to 14.63% in September from 20.98% a year earlier.
Gross external reserves rose to USD 55.1bn as of October 9, 2026, including about USD 46bn in net reserves, while the tax-to-GDP ratio increased from 7% to 12.5%.
Strategic priorities for future development
The President attributed these improvements to measures including the removal of petrol subsidies, exchange rate unification, tax reforms, and coordinated efforts to tackle inflation.
President Tinubu outlined five priorities for the next phase of the Federal Executive Council’s economic strategy: Food affordability and energy price stability; Budget harmonisation and fiscal discipline; and Completion of high-impact projects and investment in critical infrastructure. Others include an improved economic policy framework and regulatory efficiency, and Targeted household support alongside investment in human development.
”Securing financing is not the achievement. Completing the project, delivering value and improving the lives of Nigerians is the achievement,” said President Tinubu.
