Shettima Says Tinubu's Government is Boosting Economy in Nasarawa

The Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has said the big infrastructure projects by President Bola Tinubu's administration are linking Nigeria’s key economic areas. This is helping trade between regions, cutting transport costs, and creating new chances for businesses and communities across the nation.

He explained that by connecting the main trade routes, the Tinubu government is using infrastructure to change the country for the better.

While speaking in Lafia, Nasarawa State, on Wednesday at the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign rally, Mr Shettima said the federal government is investing in transport infrastructure to connect farms and factories to markets. This will create jobs and boost economic growth in Nigeria’s geopolitical zones.

He pointed out that the Akwanga, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe, Biu, Maiduguri Superhighway is a key part of the government’s infrastructure plan. This project will improve links between the North-central and North-eastern regions.

VP Shettima added that this highway, along with the Lagos, Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto, Badagry Superhighway, shows the administration’s commitment to fixing Nigeria’s infrastructure problems and building a more connected economy.

“We have promised to connect producers and markets. We have promised to ease movement across regions. We have promised to create jobs. We have promised to lower costs that affect traders and families. This is what we are doing, and we have come to ask for your support for another term to finish this work,” he said.

The vice president explained that better roads will help transport farm products, minerals, and goods, making it easier for consumers and businesses to access them.

He said the infrastructure program is backed by economic reforms aimed at improving government finances, boosting revenue, and restoring trust among investors.

“We inherited an economy under pressure. We took over a country with poor infrastructure. We found a nation with low investor confidence and other issues. These challenges needed urgent solutions. But I assure you that the worst is over. We have started fixing our economy,” he stated.

VP Shettima emphasized that the administration’s financial reforms have improved revenue and increased funding for state governments. This means more money for infrastructure and public projects.

“The Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a much-awaited positive change. We have made reforms to protect public funds. We have made reforms to increase revenue. We have made reforms to build investor trust and boost local production,” he said.

He mentioned that Nasarawa State, rich in agriculture and minerals, will gain from better transport networks and the government’s focus on local production and industrial growth.

On education, the vice president talked about the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). He said students from Nasarawa State can get loans for their higher education from the federal government’s program.

He also mentioned that President Tinubu has approved turning the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, into the Federal University of Mining, Engineering and Technology. He sees this as a smart investment in the skilled workers needed to grow Nigeria’s mineral industry.

“This decision recognizes Nasarawa State’s rich mineral resources and the need to train engineers, scientists, and technologists to turn this wealth into lasting benefits for the country,” he said.

The VP also highlighted mineral processing as a key focus of the government’s industrial policy. He recalled the opening of the Diamond New Energy Lithium Processing Plant in Nasarawa State.

He explained that the government’s reforms aim to promote local processing of minerals, create jobs in manufacturing, and keep more economic value within Nigeria.

“We have introduced reforms that allow Nigerians to earn more from mineral processing, create manufacturing jobs, and reduce the export of raw minerals. We want to keep high-value work and its rewards here in Nigeria,” he stated.

Acknowledging the economic challenges faced by Nigerians, VP Shettima said the government understands the sacrifices made during the reforms. He assured Nigerians that the administration is committed to improving living conditions.

“We know about the short-term struggles that come with our reforms. We have gone through that tough period, and it was successful,” he assured.

The vice president also praised Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule for his investments in roads, urban infrastructure, education, healthcare, and public services.

He commended the governor's leadership and contributions to the state’s growth, saying that increased funds for states have given them more chances to carry out development projects.

VP Shettima said the APC is returning to the people to report on its work and ask for another chance for President Tinubu and the party's candidates.

“We have come here today because we owe Nigerians an account of our work,” he said, adding that the administration wants to finish ongoing development programs.

He also called for peaceful political activities and urged supporters to reject violence during elections.

“I trust you to resist any temptation to engage in violence and show that our politics is issue-based,” the vice president stated.

VP Shettima thanked the people of Nasarawa State for their support since 2023 and reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to the state’s development needs.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, praised the party for presenting President Tinubu’s achievements. He said the first term of the Nigerian leader has been historic in the country’s democracy.

The speaker urged Nasarawa people to support the Tinubu government, saying many ongoing projects need the president to be re-elected to finish them.

The APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, urged the people of Nasarawa State and the North-central region to vote for President Tinubu, governorship candidate Aliyu Wadada, and other APC candidates in the 2027 elections.

Hope Uzodimma, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), called President Tinubu the builder of modern Nigeria. He urged Nigerians, especially those in Nasarawa State, to vote for the president, Mr Wadada, and other APC candidates in the upcoming elections.

The APC governorship candidate for Nasarawa State, Mr Wadada, defended the Tinubu administration's reforms, pointing to positive economic signs.

The lawmaker said only “an open enemy” would ignore the achievements of the federal government since President Tinubu took office in May 2023. He pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects nationwide and growth in the capital market as signs of economic recovery.