Tinubu’s Flagship Highways Will Drive Trade, Prosperity — Works State Minister Goronyo
By Pan Afric Reporters | Glascow, Scotland
The Federal Government has identified engineering innovation, professional excellence and quality road infrastructure as critical drivers of Nigeria’s economic transformation, with its flagship highway projects expected to strengthen connectivity, facilitate trade and unlock new opportunities across the country.
The position was contained in a statement issued by the Office of the Honourable Minister of State for Works and signed by Abdullahi Mohammed, Special Adviser on Media to the Honourable Minister of State for Works, following the Minister’s address at the 2026 UK Engineering Conference in Glasgow, Scotland.
The Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., made the call while speaking at the conference, themed “Engineering Innovation for National Impact,” where he urged Nigerian engineers, innovators, professionals in the diaspora and international development partners to deploy their expertise, technology and investments towards accelerating infrastructure development.
Goronyo described engineering as more than technical expertise, stressing that it is a fundamental pillar of national development, economic growth and prosperity.
He said Nigeria’s large population, abundant natural resources and human capital could only be translated into sustainable economic transformation through innovation, professionalism and deliberate investment in infrastructure.
“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,” Goronyo said.
According to the Minister, quality road infrastructure facilitates the movement of people and goods, reduces transportation costs, creates employment and strengthens trade while opening up economic opportunities for communities and businesses.
He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had demonstrated strong commitment to infrastructure renewal through investments in road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance across the country.
Flagship highways as economic corridors
Goronyo highlighted some of the Federal Government’s major legacy highway projects, describing them as strategic economic corridors rather than ordinary road construction initiatives.
Among the projects he listed were 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.
He explained that the projects were designed to integrate communities, improve regional connectivity, facilitate trade and stimulate economic activities across Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.
The Minister maintained that the success of the infrastructure drive must, however, be anchored on professional standards, regulatory compliance and accountability.
He said the Federal Ministry of Works remained committed to ensuring that public infrastructure was delivered to the highest possible standards while strengthening technical monitoring and professional oversight.
Goronyo backs stronger engineering regulation
Goronyo expressed the Ministry’s support for 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.
He 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 see themselves as custodians of public safety and national development, stressing that engineering excellence must remain central to the delivery of durable and sustainable infrastructure.
Diaspora engineers, investors urged to return expertise
The Minister also called on Nigerian engineers in the diaspora and international partners to bring their expertise, innovations, investments and global experience to support Nigeria’s infrastructure development.
“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,” he said.
Goronyo expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Glasgow Branch, for providing a platform for Nigerian and international engineering professionals to exchange ideas on how innovation can contribute to national development.
He 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 prosperity is more widely shared.
The Minister’s remarks come as the Federal Government continues to position strategic road infrastructure as a major component of its broader economic transformation and Renewed Hope Agenda.
