Goronyo, NBA President Seek Stronger Legal Partnership to Fast-Track Infrastructure Delivery
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Federal Ministry of Works and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) are exploring stronger collaboration in legal services, contract management and dispute resolution to improve the delivery of major infrastructure projects across Nigeria.
The Honourable Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., disclosed this on Thursday, September 17, 2026, when he received the NBA President, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, and members of her delegation in his office in Abuja.
The development was contained in a press release issued by Abdullahi Mohammed, Special Adviser on Media to the Honourable Minister of State for Works, on September 17, 2026.
Goronyo described the NBA visit as an important step towards deepening the relationship between the Ministry and the legal profession, particularly in infrastructure contracts, legal advisory services, dispute resolution and the implementation of major road projects.
He said the legal profession remained integral to infrastructure development because road and other construction projects depend on sound contractual and legal frameworks.
“There is no contract that can be awarded without an agreement, and there cannot be an agreement without the possibility of disputes. We therefore need to leverage our relationship and ensure that we utilise what we have so that together we can build a prosperous nation,” Goronyo said.
The Minister also congratulated Badejo-Okusanya on her emergence as NBA President and urged her to use her tenure to promote unity within the legal profession, including reaching out to lawyers who contested against her.
He advised her to continue drawing on the experience and counsel of senior members of the Bar, stressing that their contributions would be valuable in strengthening the profession and advancing the rule of law.
Goronyo said the Ministry, under the leadership of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, remained committed to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through the development and rehabilitation of critical road infrastructure across the country.
He listed the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri corridor among major projects being undertaken under the Federal Government’s infrastructure programme, noting that the projects were expected to improve connectivity, facilitate economic activities and strengthen access across different regions.
According to him, improved road infrastructure would have wider implications for agriculture, trade, security, transportation and the movement of people and goods.
Earlier, the Director of Legal Services, Federal Ministry of Works, Princess Frank Chukuani, said effective infrastructure development could not be achieved without a robust legal framework.
She explained that the Ministry’s Legal Services Department plays a critical role in ensuring that contracts and other activities of the Ministry comply with relevant laws, expressing optimism that the NBA visit would create new avenues for cooperation.
In her remarks, NBA President Badejo-Okusanya commended the Ministry for its efforts to improve Nigeria’s road infrastructure, noting that the Association had observed ongoing construction and rehabilitation projects across the country.
She described roads as critical gateways to economic growth and expressed the NBA’s readiness to deploy its legal expertise in support of infrastructure delivery.
The NBA President identified contract review, legal advisory services, capacity development, alternative dispute resolution and arbitration as areas where the Association could partner with the Ministry.
“We are ready to offer our partnership and our expertise when called upon to do so, including reviewing contracts and developing knowledge in these areas,” she said.
Badejo-Okusanya further proposed joint capacity-building initiatives in construction arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, saying such cooperation could help reduce prolonged contractual disputes and contribute to the timely completion of infrastructure projects.
She also appealed to the Ministry to address the condition of the road leading to the NBA Secretariat and drainage challenges around the area.
Responding, Goronyo assured the NBA delegation that the Ministry would examine the concerns and take the necessary steps for a technical assessment.
The visit ended with the NBA President presenting a goodwill gift to the Minister, who expressed appreciation for the delegation’s engagement and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to a mutually beneficial partnership with the legal profession in support of infrastructure development and national progress.
