In a detailed analysis of the recently presented 2026 Appropriation Bill, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, has lauded the fiscal plan as a transformative, people-centred document with a core focus on security and infrastructure. This perspective, delivered via a statement from his Special Adviser, Mr. Abdullahi Mohammed, positions the budget as a direct response to Nigeria’s most pressing national challenges.
Goronyo emphasized that the “significant budgetary allocation to security reflects the president’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the country.” This statement moves beyond political rhetoric when contextualized. A secure environment is the non-negotiable bedrock of all economic and social progress. For instance, in regions plagued by insecurity, agricultural output plummets, markets close, and supply chains fracture. By prioritizing security funding, the budget aims to create the stability necessary for farmers to return to fields, for businesses to operate without fear, and for investors—both domestic and foreign—to commit capital with confidence. This, in turn, stimulates economic activities, creates jobs, and fosters the national stability required for long-term development planning.
The minister’s commendation extends robustly to the budget’s “strong emphasis placed on road infrastructure.” Here, the benefits are multifaceted and deeply interwoven with daily life and macroeconomic health. Sustained investment in constructing, rehabilitating, and completing federal roads is not merely about asphalt and concrete; it is an economic catalyst. Improved roads directly ease transportation challenges, slashing travel time and the cost of moving goods and people. This reduction in vehicle operating costs and logistics expenses lowers the price of commodities nationwide, combating inflation. Furthermore, enhanced connectivity improves access to markets for rural producers, links communities to essential services like hospitals and schools, and integrates regional economies into a more cohesive national market, directly boosting productivity and trade.
Goronyo synthesized these priorities, stating, “The combined focus on enhanced security and improved road infrastructure, alongside economic reforms, fiscal discipline, and human capital development in education and health, will go a long way in alleviating the hardship currently faced by citizens.” This holistic view is critical. Infrastructure without security is vulnerable, and security without economic opportunity is unsustainable. The budget’s proposed synergy aims to create a virtuous cycle: security enables infrastructure projects to proceed unhindered, while new roads and economic reforms generate jobs and growth, which further underpin community stability and improve living standards.
In a commitment to tangible results, the Minister assured Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Works is “fully committed to the effective implementation of all road projects approved in the 2026 budget, in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.” This pledge highlights the crucial transition from budget allocation to on-the-ground delivery. He called for the “continued support and cooperation of all stakeholders,” acknowledging that successful implementation requires collaboration between government agencies, contractors, local communities, and the public to ensure transparency, efficiency, and the timely delivery of projects that will reshape the nation’s landscape and future.
