Let me make a point very clear. This article is inspired by an article or should I say, a statement by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 31st October, 2026 titled “ FROM REFORMS TO DELIVERY: OUR INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT AND GROWTH STRATEGY “
In this statement, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu clearly and in a highly focused and strategic manner stated his administration’s thinking and plans behind the reforms, borrowing for infrastructural development and the immediate and long term economic benefits of these infrastructure towards the realisation of his administration’s one trillion dollars economy target for the country.
The president also stressed that now that the reforms have been globally acknowledged positively, the next priority is to “ invest, build and deliver at scale”. This is because international capital has now seen Nigeria as a positive infrastructure investment destination and are willing to commit long term funds to long term assets which Nigeria actually need for the attainment of its one trillion dollars economy.
What actually focuses my thoughts on this article, especially the roles which states, local governments and the private sector will have to play to bring prosperity to Nigeria and Nigerians at the grassroots , is what the President said and I quote
“ The reforms have opened the door to capital; delivery is what will turn that capital into prosperity. The delivery agenda is reflected in the five priorities FEC identified for the next stage: food affordability and energy price stability; budget harmonisation and fiscal discipline; high-impact project completion and investment in critical infrastructure; an economic policy framework and regulatory efficiency; and targeted household support and investment in human development. “
The big word here is “ DELIVERY “
It has always been the bane of development and prosperity in Nigeria. Who delivers what? When and How? At what cost? Who benefits?
Until recently, overcrowding of the exclusive legislative list in the Nigerian constitution has denied the states the ability to develop critical infrastructure in the areas of security, power and energy stability, transportation, rural and youth development. It
has also limited their capabilities for innovation, business development and exploitation of natural resources for economic development and prosperity.
Now that the reforms have opened some of the doors hitherto exclusive to the federal government and have drawn global financial attention to Nigeria, what should be done to take advantage of the opportunities therein.
At the macro level, the vision and direction are clear.
At the micro level, there are lots of blurs and distortions.
This is where the bulk of the work is.
The five priorities of the Federal Government’s delivery agenda should therefore provide a guide.
Let’s check out one of the agendas and its delivery requirements.
Food affordability and energy price stability.
To get affordable food, agriculture must be reformed and investment sustainable.
Who has a bigger responsibility to deliver?
a) For affordable food;
• Federal government develops the policy and source finance for investments but has no land.
• The states have the land and rely at least for now, on the federal government funding and increasingly on investors for bulk of the finance for investments.
• The farmers live in the rural areas where agricultural lands are available. The local governments are their landlords and in a better position to organise and supervise them.
So, it is clear that all the three tiers of government have critical roles to play. The delivery of affordable food is therefore a joint responsibility of all the three tiers. Failure of any of them will jeopardise the investments and lead to policy failure.
What of energy price stability?
When speaking of energy, we mean electricity, oil and gas, petroleum refined products, compressed natural gas etc.
All of them affect the price of food and costs of living either positively or negatively.
This is one of the major challenges Nigeria is currently facing, requiring substantial investments.
Who drives the reform policies in these sectors? The federal government.
Who provides the bulk of the funds for investments?
The federal Government and private investors through international financial institutions.
The states also have substantial investments to make in providing critical infrastructure that will attract investors to their respective states also in these sectors.
So, synergy between the federal and the states is strategic to harnessing the opportunities thrown up by the reforms especially in attracting investors in infrastructure development, industrial productivity, service deliveries and human development.
What is this telling us?
The thinking behind policy formulation and implementation has to change.
The federal and state officials, who are the engine room of policy formulation and implementation must stop working at cross purposes. The new thinking must emphasise collaboration.
The platforms that can facilitate and coordinate this collaboration more efficiently are the Regional Development commissions.
They provide a common platform for governors in each region to collaborate and achieve regional integration.
This will be very attractive to the international finance institutions and investors.
Each regional development commission should be able to develop regional master plan for critical infrastructures, security, education and human development, youth skills acquisition, ICT and Artificial Intelligence hubs and industrial parks.
The National economic council should provide a broader and nationwide integrated master plan to prioritise areas of comparative advantages among the regions to stimulate healthy competition in the areas of industrialisation, expand productivity and a more equitable balance of trade for the country .
The local governments have their roles clearly defined by the constitution.
The reforms should ensure that they develop the capacities and sustainable funding to effectively and efficiently deliver. They are the direct links to prosperity at the grassroots.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has laid his cards on the table. It is now time for the governors, local government chairmen and the Nigerian business community to roll up their sleeves and get to work!
The new opportunities of the reforms opening the doors for international capital to invest in Nigeria’s infrastructural drive must not be wasted.
Let’s get to work
Adedeji Idowu is a broadcast journalist. He resides in Lagos.
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