Tinubu Flags Off Strategic North-East Road Projects To Enhance Security, Trade, And Regional Integration

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has officially flagged off the rehabilitation of the Bama – Banki and the Dikwa – Gamboru Ngala Roads, describing them as strategic investments to restore critical infrastructure, enhance security, and drive economic growth in the North-East. Represented at the ceremony by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, GCON, the President said the projects reflect his administration’s campaign promise to rebuild vital infrastructure that will improve connectivity, strengthen regional integration, and promote sustainable development.
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The two contracts are awarded to Dangote Industries (Nig.) Ltd. under the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme, while the subcontractor is Dantata & Sawoe (Nig.) Limited.

President Tinubu noted that the strategic road corridors would improve access to neighbouring Cameroon and the Republic of Chad, creating new opportunities for trans-Saharan trade and expanding cross-border commerce. He stressed that the projects would not only facilitate the movement of people, goods, and services but also improve security and support the socio-economic recovery of communities affected by insurgency. He called on all stakeholders to work closely with the people of the North East to ensure the successful execution of the projects, while assuring Nigerians that his administration would continue to invest in infrastructure that stimulates economic growth and national development.

The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. Sen. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, described the commencement of the projects as another pointer to the Federal Government’s infrastructure renewal drive. He explained that the roads are part of the administration’s four legacy infrastructure projects, spread across the six geopolitical zones, and are designed to improve regional connectivity, reduce travel time, facilitate trade, and strengthen economic integration with neighbouring countries.

Also speaking, the Honourable Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., highlighted the enormous economic, security, healthcare, and tourism benefits of the projects. According to him, the roads are more than transportation infrastructure; they are strategic investments that will promote regional integration, improve livelihoods, and enhance the quality of life of the people. He commended President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to transforming Nigeria through sustained infrastructure development.

In their separate remarks, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Allwell Heacho Onyesoh, and the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Works, Hon. Akin Alabi, applauded the strong collaboration between the National Assembly and the Federal Ministry of Works. They described the projects as a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive infrastructure development and pledged the continued legislative support of the National Assembly towards their successful completion.

President/CEO of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, GCON, described the Federal Government’s Tax Credit Scheme as a transformative initiative for financing critical infrastructure. He disclosed that the Dangote Group is currently executing 12 road projects valued at about ₦3 trillion under the scheme and reaffirmed the company’s readiness to undertake additional projects in support of national development. He noted that quality roads and bridges stimulate economic activities, attract investment, and promote national prosperity. Dangote also commended the leadership of the Minister, describing him as “a conqueror” for his dedication and outstanding commitment to infrastructure delivery.

The Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, CON, described the projects as strategically important to the economic recovery and security of the North East. He said the roads would strengthen commercial and social ties with Cameroon and the Chad Republics, while improving peace, security, and economic activities across the region. Governor Zulum expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu for his continued support for Borno State and the entire Zone.

Speaking on behalf of the Borno State Council of Traditional Rulers, comprising the Emirates of Borno, Biu, Dikwa, and Gwoza, the Chairman of the Council, His Royal Highness Alhaji (Dr.) Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai Al-Amin El-Kanemi, represented by the Shehu of Dikwa, welcomed the initiative. He expressed confidence that the projects would deliver lasting socio-economic benefits to the affected communities and assured the Federal Government of the traditional institution’s full support throughout the implementation process.

Umahi, Tinubu

The flag-off of the Bama–Banki and Dikwa–Gamboru Ngala Roads’ rehabilitation projects underscores the Administration’s commitment to renewing critical infrastructure, strengthening national security, expanding regional trade, and accelerating economic transformation.

Upon completion, the roads are expected to improve mobility, facilitate cross-border commerce, attract investment, and unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth and prosperity across the North East and Nigeria as a whole.

Mohammed A. Ahmed,
Director, Information and Public Relations.
5 July, 2026.
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NAF Joins Multi-Agency Sanitation Drive To Safeguard Lives And Strengthen Community Resilience

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), through its component of Operation MESA, has reinforced its commitment to civil-military relations by supporting the Lagos State Government’s environmental sanitation enforcement exercise aimed at reducing flood risks and protecting lives and property.
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Conducted from 29 June to 2 July 2026, the operation brought together the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, the Nigeria Police Force and the NAF to clear illegal structures obstructing drainage channels along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway, covering Alaba Market, Mile 2, Ojo and the Trade Fair axis.

The intervention followed recent heavy rainfall and flooding that disrupted businesses and damaged properties across parts of Lagos.

NAF Joins Multi-Agency to

By partnering with relevant state agencies to promote environmental safety and disaster prevention, the NAF continues to demonstrate that its service to the nation extends beyond air operations, supporting initiatives that enhance public safety, strengthen community resilience and foster enduring civil-military cooperation.
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FG Denies Spending ₦8 Trillion Outside Budget, Says “IMF Report Misrepresented”

The Federal Government has dismissed claims that it spent more than ₦8 trillion outside the 2026 budget, describing the reports as inaccurate and a misrepresentation of the International Monetary Fund’s 2026 Article IV Consultation Report.
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The government said the allegations, which referenced comments attributed to the IMF Representative in Nigeria and the Fund’s report, wrongly suggested that about two per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product was expended outside the approved budget.

This was contained in a statement issued on Sunday by the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele.

The rebuttal comes after IMF disclosed that Nigeria left public spending equivalent to about 2% of GDP unreported in recent official budgets, obscuring the country’s true financing needs and making the fiscal deficit appear smaller than it actually was.

Speaking in Lagos, IMF Resident Representative in Nigeria, Christian Ebeke, said, “So far we think that there are about two per cent of GDP of expenditure that were not reported that should be reported and should be recorded, so that this statistical discrepancy will disappear.”

Reacting, opposition figures, including Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the National Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of entrenched corruption and called for probe.

But Oyedele said the Federal Government does not operate a “shadow budget” or spend public funds outside the constitutional and statutory framework.

“The Federal Government has noted recent public commentary alleging that approximately two per cent of GDP amounting to over ₦8 trillion was spent outside the approved budget based on references to the IMF Representative in Nigeria and the Fund’s 2026 Article IV Consultation Report.

“These claims are incorrect and risk misleading the public regarding the government’s financial management,” the statement said.

Oyedele explained that under Sections 80 to 83 and 162 of the 1999 Constitution, public funds could only be withdrawn and spent in accordance with the Constitution and laws enacted by the National Assembly.

He said Federal Government spending was undertaken through duly enacted Appropriation Acts, Supplementary Appropriation Acts and other statutory authorities approved by the National Assembly.

The minister added that multi-year capital projects implemented across different budget cycles and approved capital rollovers were recognised components of public financial management and should not be misconstrued as spending outside the budget.

Oyedele also clarified that statutory transfers, debt service obligations, first-line charges and intervention mechanisms established by Acts of the National Assembly formed part of Nigeria’s public finance framework.

He listed statutory allocations to development commissions, revenue collection costs retained by designated agencies, separately approved capital budgets for some agencies and the Federal Capital Territory, security and infrastructure interventions, disaster response programmes, and debt servicing obligations among expenditures authorised by law.

“These expenditures are neither secret nor illegal. They are established by law, disclosed in various fiscal reports, and subject to applicable oversight, audit and accountability mechanisms,” he stated.

The minister further rejected suggestions that the reported amount represented an increase in Nigeria’s fiscal deficit.

“A fiscal deficit is determined by the relationship between total government revenues and total government expenditures. Whether a capital project is financed through annual appropriations, supplementary appropriations, statutory transfers, approved intervention mechanisms, or other lawful financing arrangements does not, by itself, increase the fiscal deficit,” he added.

He said the IMF’s observations focused on improving the comprehensiveness, timing and presentation of fiscal reporting rather than questioning the legality of government expenditure.

IMF Report Misrepresented

According to him, Tinubu had already asked the National Assembly during the presentation of the 2026 Appropriation Bill on December 19, 2025, to end the practice of operating multiple and overlapping budgets and instead adopt a single, harmonised budget framework.

Oyedele said the Federal Government remained committed to prudent fiscal management, transparency and accountability, noting that recent reforms had strengthened budget credibility, revenue administration, treasury management and the digitalisation of government financial processes.

“The Federal Government will continue to uphold the rule of law, maintain transparency in the management of public resources, and work with the National Assembly, oversight institutions, development partners and the Nigerian people to further strengthen fiscal governance in line with international best practices,” he added.

He urged members of the public to base debates on accurate facts and a proper understanding of Nigeria’s constitutional and fiscal framework, warning that misrepresenting technical observations as evidence of unlawful expenditure undermined informed public discourse.
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