Joseph Bakare
Nigeria is asking the private sector to join hands in efforts to improve on infrastructure development.
Currently the National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan (2020–2043) remains the country’s strategic blueprint to boost infrastructure stock from 35 per cent to 70 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The Government has therefore reaffirmed its commitment to bridging Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit through strategic Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
This was disclosed by the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Jobson Ewalefoh, during the 2025 Nigeria Private-Public Partnership Summit, which opened on Tuesday at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.
Themed “Unlocking Nigeria’s Potential: The Role of PPPs in Delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the two-day summit brought together top government officials, investors, and private sector stakeholders.
Vice President Kashim Shettima was also in attendance.
Ewalefoh said the Tinubu administration has repositioned infrastructure as a catalyst for inclusive growth and is championing PPPs as a governance model that fosters innovation, efficiency, and accountability.
He cited key ongoing projects such as: The Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI), The Egini Medical Infrastructure Scheme and The Dasin Hausa Dam project
These, he said, reflect Nigeria’s commitment to building sustainable infrastructure through private-sector-led development.
“Nigeria is open for business,” Ewalefoh declared. “The ICRC is fully committed to ensuring that all PPP projects are legally compliant, economically viable, and socially impactful.”
In his keynote address, Vice President Shettima reiterated the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors to actualize Nigeria’s long-term infrastructure goals.
“This ambitious target is not the government’s burden alone,” Shettima said. “It demands robust partnerships with the private sector, and this administration is committed to creating an environment where those partnerships can thrive.” he said.
The summit aims to deepen discussions on how PPPs can accelerate national development, attract investment, and deliver critical projects across transport, health, energy, and water infrastructure.