The Federal Government has clarified the distribution of Federal Executive Council (FEC)-approved projects, revealing that the North-West geopolitical zone received the largest share, valued at ₦5.97 trillion, representing more than 40 per cent of the total ₦10.92 trillion projects approved under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The Director-General of the Budget Office of the Federation, Dr. Tanimu Yakubu, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, noting that the figures counter misinformation about the allocation of projects across the six geopolitical zones.
Yakubu explained that a viral chart misrepresented infrastructure projects by classifying them as “Lagos-only,” even though many of them are federal transport corridors and national highways that benefit multiple regions.
He stressed that Lagos-exclusive projects amount to about ₦1.2 trillion, covering localised works such as airport fencing and bridge rehabilitation.
By contrast, the remaining ₦2.7 trillion attributed to Lagos in the chart represents nationwide projects like the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and Badagry–Sokoto transport corridor.
“By that logic, the Kano–Maiduguri expressway could be labelled a ‘Maiduguri-only project.’ It is a sleight of hand that ignores the truth: these are national arteries, not local trophies,” Yakubu said.
According to the Budget Office’s breakdown:
North-West: ₦5.97tn
South-South: ₦2.41tn
North-Central: ₦1.13tn
South-West (excluding Lagos): ₦604bn
South-East: ₦407bn
North-East: ₦400bn
This data highlights the North-West as the single largest beneficiary of FEC-approved projects, surpassing all other regions.
The revival of the 255-megawatt Kaduna Power Plant, abandoned for years since the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, was identified as one of the flagship initiatives for the North-West. Other significant projects include:
Kaduna–Kano Expressway
Kano–Maiduguri Highway
Sokoto–Illela Corridor
Multiple education, energy, and security sector investments
Yakubu emphasized that these projects are aimed at stimulating regional growth, addressing power shortages, and improving transport infrastructure.
Reacting to concerns about fairness, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reassured Nigerians that the Tinubu administration is committed to equity, balanced development, and inclusivity.
He highlighted flagship national projects such as the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Badagry–Sokoto Highway, and the Trans-Saharan Highway, which cut across multiple regions, creating nationwide opportunities.
Idris further revealed that over 250,000 jobs are projected to be generated across the federation as infrastructure projects are rolled out.
The disclosure has renewed public debate on how national projects are distributed, with some critics arguing that resource allocation often sparks regional rivalries.
Analysts suggest that transparent communication, as provided by the Budget Office, is vital for maintaining trust.
Dr. Uchenna Eze, a public policy expert at the University of Abuja, told our correspondent that:
“What Nigeria needs is less competition among zones and more focus on national integration.
Infrastructure projects like highways and power plants should not be politicised, because their benefits extend beyond state borders.”
Observers note that the ₦5.97tn allocation to the North-West could significantly boost economic activity in the region, particularly in agriculture, manufacturing, and trade.
Improved transport corridors are expected to lower the cost of moving goods, while enhanced power supply could stimulate small and medium enterprises.
For the South-South, allocations are expected to strengthen oil-producing communities, while the South-East and North-East, though receiving smaller shares, are projected to benefit from targeted road and energy investments.
The Federal Government’s clarification underscores a broader commitment to fairness and balanced growth.
While the North-West leads in project allocation, the Tinubu administration insists that all regions will feel the impact of the ₦10.92tn infrastructure drive.
With implementation set to accelerate in coming months, Nigerians will be watching closely to see how these projects translate into tangible improvements in jobs, trade, and daily living standards across the country.
