President Bola Tinubu has greenlit the National Construction and Household Support Programme. This initiative, targeting all geo-political zones of the country, is set to improve infrastructure and support households across Nigeria.
Key components of the program include the prioritization of the Sokoto-Badagry Highway. This extensive project will span Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos. President Tinubu emphasized the highway’s importance due to its impact on agricultural sustainability, citing the corridor’s 216 agricultural communities, 58 dams, and over 1 million hectares of arable land.
Further infrastructural efforts include the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Trans-Saharan Highway, connecting multiple states and boosting inter-regional connectivity. The President has also approved full counterpart financing for the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri Railway and the Ibadan-Abuja segment of the Lagos-Kano Standard-Gauge Railway, which will traverse numerous states, facilitating smoother transportation of goods and passengers.
During the National Economic Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, President Tinubu highlighted the urgency of these projects. “Our states must work together to deliver on the critical reforms required of us to meet the needs of our people. Time is humanity’s most precious asset. It is getting late,” he stated.
The National Construction and Household Support Programme also includes:
One-off allocation of N10 billion to states and the Federal Capital Territory for bus procurement and the CNG uplift program.
N50,000 uplift grants for 100,000 families per state for three months.
Provisions for labor unions and civil society organizations to ensure comprehensive support.
Deployment of N155 billion for purchasing and distributing assorted foodstuffs nationwide.
President Tinubu stressed the critical nature of boosting food production, particularly through the Sokoto-Badagry Highway project. “We are ready and able to support you in the form of the mechanization of your agricultural processes and the provision of high-quality seedlings,” he said. He also underscored the importance of solar-powered irrigation facilities to aid farmers year-round.
He concluded with a call for cooperation among state governors, urging them to deliver on the necessary reforms and coordinate efforts. “We must produce the food our people eat, and it will require coordination and intentionality between members of the NEC. There is nothing we are doing that is more important than producing high-quality food for our people to consume, buy, and sell,” Tinubu declared.
He assured the governors of his support, saying, “How much support do you need from me and in what form? I am prepared to provide it. But we must achieve the result. We must deliver on our targets at all levels. Please report back following your consultations and submit to my office within seven days.”
