President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made the call while declaring open the 2025 Nigeria Public Private Partnership (PPP) Summit in Abuja.
Organised by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), the two day summit is themed, “Unlocking Nigeria’s Potential: The Role of Public Private Partnerships in Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Addressing the summit, the president said: “Blueprints do not build roads. Policies alone do not generate megawatts, we must build, we must deliver and we must do it together.”
The event brought together a coalition of policymakers, development financiers, private investors, concessionaires, and international partners to forge a new direction in infrastructure delivery.
President Tinubu emphasized that Nigeria cannot build a modern economy on outdated infrastructure and public-only financing models.
With an estimated $2.3 trillion infrastructure deficit, he said Nigeria is seeking not just capital but committed, long term collaborators.
“We are not looking for investors to carry burdens but to seize opportunities. Nigeria offers scale, demand, and returns like no other African market,” the President added.
He noted that the administration has strengthened the ICRC to de risk and superintend PPP transactions.
According to him, reforms like fuel subsidy removal, foreign exchange liberalisation, and improved revenue optimisation, have laid the foundation for investors confidence.
“Let this summit be remembered not for fine speeches, but for signed deals and enduring results,” President Tinubu added.
The Director General/CEO of ICRC, Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, in his remarks, described the summit as a “strategic convergence point,” where stakeholders co-create bankable projects and align institutional frameworks for rapid delivery.
Ewalefoh said this summit is not just ceremonial , but a rallying call for bankable PPPs and action driven collaboration.
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He praised the President’s leadership for reinforcing the Commission’s regulatory independence and fast tracking approvals of critical projects before the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
the DG highlighted some of the priority projects to include; Dasin Hausa Dam (Adamawa) to mitigate flooding from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam, Ikere Gorge Dam for hydropower and irrigation, Borokiri Fishing Terminal to unlock marine commerce, Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) for road dualisation and tolling, MediPool Medical Infrastructure Initiative to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Ewalefoh assured both local and international partners that Nigeria is not only open for business, but ready for structured and results oriented partnerships.
The summit featured high level participation from governors, ministers, lawmakers, global lenders like AfDB, Afrexim Bank, IFC, Africa50, and representatives from the diplomatic and private sectors.
As deliberations continue into Day Two, attention is shifting from policy formulation to execution with a shared resolve to deliver power, roads, hospitals, and employment to Nigerians through impactful PPPs.
Esther Ososanya is an investigative journalist with Pinnacle Daily, reporting across health, business, environment, metro, Fct and crime. Known for her bold, empathetic storytelling, she uncovers hidden truths, challenges broken systems, and gives voice to overlooked Nigerians. Her work drives national conversations and demands accountability one powerful story at a time.
