President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has restated the determination of his administration to fast-track approvals for viable infrastructural projects in the country, saying what matters to the average Nigerian is the availability of basic infrastructure such as power, roads, health facilities and quality schools.

Accordingly, he called for a more strengthened public-private sector partnership that emphasises innovation, efficiency, commitment and integrity above mere capital and investments.

Speaking on Tuesday when he declared open the 2025 Nigeria Public-Private Partnership Summit held at the State House Conference Centre at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President urged private sector partners to be focused and more committed, noting that Nigeria offers scale, demand, and returns like no other African market.

President Tinubu who was represented at the Summit by Vice President Kashim Shettima said, "But we need more than investment. We need innovation, we need efficiency, and above all, we need integrity. I urge you to look beyond the risks and recognise the immense opportunity to shape a nation that is not just rising, but ready.

Observing that a 21st-century economy cannot be built on 20th-century infrastructure, the Nigerian leader pointed out that the "old model of public-only infrastructure funding is no longer sustainable.

President Tinubu recalled that his administration, on assumption of office two years ago, was quite aware "that a functional relationship between the public and private sectors would be the magic wand of transformation."

He reaffirmed that the administration is still fully committed to that very public-private partnership that is passionate about delivering sustainable and inclusive infrastructure.

Declaring the summit open, the President urged participants to ensure the event is "remembered not for fine speeches, but for bankable projects, signed deals, and enduring progress."

Earlier, Minister of Interior, Mr Tunji Ojo, commended the ICRC for championing game-changing projects across diverse sectors, noting that with President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima in the saddle, Nigeria is taking its rightful place in the comity of nations.

In his remarks, Director General of the ICRC, Dr. Jobson Ewalefoh, said the summit is a rallying call for transformation, a platform for strategic convergence, and a bridge between national aspirations and tangible development.

On her part, Regional Director, Central Africa & Anglophone West Africa, IFC, Dahlia Khalifa, applauded the ongoing reform in Nigeria's PPP framework, acknowledging IFC's collaboration with authorities across key sectors to achieve the country’s overall objectives and strengthening the existing relationship between the organisation and Nigeria.

She added that Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated strong commitments to timely and transparent resolution of disputes arising from PPP projects which is evident in the ongoing efforts to restructure the country’s PPP framework.

Also, Vice-President for Private Sector, Infrastructure & Industrialisation at the African Development Bank, Solomon Quaynor, said the theme of the summit implies that partnerships are not just optional but are essential.

On his part, Director & Global Head, Project Preparation, African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Zitto Alfayo, explained that the government’s limited fiscal space has necessitated PPPs, saying the federal government's bold market reforms have positioned Nigeria to absorb the shocks of the outside world.END