As Nigeria mourns the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, business leaders and policy analysts are calling on the current administration to preserve and expand the country’s public-private partnership (PPP) frameworks that gained traction during his tenure. Buhari, who passed away on July 13, 2025, in London at the age of 82, was widely seen as a proponent of infrastructure-focused PPP models, especially in energy, transport, and digital infrastructure.

Buhari’s administration (2015–2023) embraced PPPs as a core mechanism for bridging Nigeria’s infrastructure financing gap. With limited fiscal space and rising debt levels, his government turned to private sector involvement to execute capital-intensive projects. Key initiatives such as road concessions, rail revitalization, and power sector collaboration were facilitated under various PPP models, offering hope that Nigeria could modernize without overburdening its public coffers.


Despite criticisms of his economic policies, Buhari’s relatively hands-off approach in facilitating private participation in public infrastructure marked a notable shift from the government-led financing models of the past. His administration launched major PPP-driven projects, including:

The Nigerian Railway Modernization Project (in partnership with Chinese firms and local players),

The Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI) — a road concession model inviting private operators to finance, build, and manage federal roads,

The Siemens “Presidential Power Initiative” to improve electricity transmission and distribution in collaboration with German and local partners.

In the digital space, Buhari’s government laid the groundwork for broadband infrastructure expansion and initiated regulatory reforms to attract tech investors through collaborative funding.

“These PPPs were not perfect, but they created a pipeline for long-term infrastructure development with measurable private sector engagement,” said Dr. Doyin Salami, an economist and former member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council. “The momentum must not be lost with Buhari’s passing.”


Business groups such as the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) have issued public statements urging President Bola Tinubu to sustain Buhari-era PPP policies and expand their implementation. Many stakeholders believe that PPPs are essential to achieving Nigeria’s development goals outlined in the National Development Plan (2021–2025).

“President Buhari helped institutionalize the role of the private sector in infrastructure development. We hope that the current administration will not only preserve those frameworks but also scale them in transport, energy, and digital innovation,” said Laoye Jaiyeola, CEO of NESG.

Private investors, both domestic and foreign, have also emphasized the importance of regulatory stability and policy continuity. Uncertainty surrounding Nigeria’s investment climate — particularly after changes in foreign exchange policy — has made long-term commitments riskier. PPPs, they argue, need clear legal frameworks, transparency, and government support beyond the lifecycle of any one administration.


President Tinubu, who assumed office in May 2023, has signaled his intention to deepen economic reforms and attract private capital. His administration has taken steps to liberalize the forex regime and reduce government subsidies, and analysts believe these reforms could create a more conducive environment for PPP expansion.

“Now is the time for Tinubu to double down on bankable PPPs in sectors like renewable energy, urban mass transit, and logistics infrastructure,” said Ifeoma Okonkwo, a PPP consultant in Abuja. “With Buhari’s death, the political baton has passed — but the infrastructure mission must continue.”

The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission has already confirmed that over 60 active PPP projects are in various stages of procurement and execution, valued at more than ₦8 trillion. These include airport concession plans, seaport modernizations, and affordable housing schemes.


While Buhari’s economic legacy remains contested — particularly around his forex and subsidy policies — his administration’s use of PPPs is regarded by many as a pragmatic approach to bridging Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit. Stakeholders across sectors agree that continuing and scaling these partnerships will be critical to job creation, industrialization, and sustainable growth.

Buhari’s death has created a moment of reflection — and opportunity. Whether Tinubu’s administration seizes the chance to institutionalize and expand PPPs may well determine Nigeria’s infrastructure trajectory for the next decade.