Tinubu’s Highway Projects Will Connect Nigeria, Boost Trade, Create Prosperity — Goronyo
The Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has called on Nigerian engineers, professionals in the diaspora, innovators and international development partners to deploy their expertise and investments towards accelerating infrastructure development and economic transformation in Nigeria.
Goronyo made the call while speaking at the 2026 UK Engineering Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, themed, “Engineering Innovation for National Impact.”
The Minister described engineering as a critical pillar of national development, stressing that sustainable economic growth could not be achieved without innovation, professionalism and deliberate investment in infrastructure.
He said Nigeria’s large population, abundant natural resources and human capital provided enormous opportunities for development if properly harnessed through strategic infrastructure investments.
According to Goronyo, quality road infrastructure is fundamental to economic prosperity because it facilitates the movement of people and goods, reduces transportation costs, creates employment and strengthens trade across the country.
“Roads lead to prosperity. They are not just pathways of asphalt and concrete; they are the arteries of commerce, agriculture and industry, carrying the lifeblood of our economy,” he said.
The Minister said the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had demonstrated strong commitment to infrastructure development through increased investments in road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance.
He identified several flagship highway projects as strategic economic corridors capable of improving connectivity across Nigeria and unlocking new opportunities for trade and investment.
The projects, he said, include the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Trans-Sahara Trade Route (Calabar-Abuja), and the 1,100-kilometre Akwanga-Jos-Maiduguri Superhighway.
Goronyo stressed that the projects were more than transportation infrastructure, describing them as economic lifelines designed to integrate communities, facilitate trade, strengthen regional connectivity and stimulate economic activities.
He also emphasised the need for strict adherence to professional standards, regulatory requirements and accountability in the engineering sector.
According to him, the Federal Ministry of Works has endorsed the proactive regulatory approach of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), including stronger sanctions for professional misconduct, enhanced technical monitoring and professional development through the Engineering Residency Programme.
Goronyo disclosed that the Ministry, under the leadership of the Minister of Works, Engr. (Sen.) David Nweze Umahi, CON, was intensifying project audits and technical oversight to ensure that only qualified, competent and duly registered professionals handled critical public infrastructure projects.
He urged Nigerian engineers to recognise their responsibility as custodians of public safety and national development, stressing that engineering excellence must remain at the centre of delivering durable and sustainable infrastructure.
The Minister further appealed to Nigerian engineers in the diaspora and international partners to bring their expertise, innovations, investments and global experience into the country.
“Nigeria is open for business. Bring your talents, innovations and investments. Join us through Public-Private Partnerships, tax credit schemes and engineering collaborations. Together, we can build roads and bridges that do more than connect cities; they can connect dreams, aspirations, opportunities and prosperity,” Goronyo said.
He expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Glasgow Branch, for inviting him to the conference and for providing a platform for Nigerian engineers and international professionals to exchange ideas on the role of engineering in national development.
Goronyo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to President Tinubu’s vision of a Nigeria where movement is seamless, logistics are efficient, infrastructure is sustainable and economic opportunities are accessible to more Nigerians.
