By George Ozalla
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said his administration’s ongoing infrastructure drive and economic reforms are designed to secure long-term prosperity for Nigerians, declaring that investments being made today are laying the groundwork for a more stable and productive future.
The President spoke on Saturday in Iperu during the inauguration of the Gateway Cargo International Airport, a flagship project delivered by the administration of Dapo Abiodun. At the event, Tinubu also unveiled two newly acquired aircraft for Gateway Airline, alongside a range of mobility, security, and agricultural assets.
He said the scale of infrastructure development reflects confidence in Nigeria’s future, noting that the projects are directly tied to improving the well-being of citizens. He added that the airport’s integration with an independent power supply highlights deliberate investments in the energy sector to support industrial growth and operational efficiency.
The President commended Governor Abiodun for what he described as consistent, people-focused leadership, acknowledging the alignment of the state’s development strategy with the federal government’s Renewed Hope Agenda. He observed that development must be felt across all levels, pointing to the rollout of 1,000 electric bikes, security vehicles, and tractors as practical interventions in transportation, safety, and agriculture.
Tinubu further praised Nigerians for sustaining confidence in the All Progressives Congress, noting that recent reforms have expanded fiscal space for sub-national governments. According to him, improved revenue flows have enabled governors to execute projects more effectively and respond to local needs.
On energy transition and innovation, the President described Ogun State’s adoption of electric mobility as forward-looking, stressing that technology-driven solutions remain critical to modern governance and environmental sustainability.
He also commended the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, for initiatives that have improved trade facilitation and enhanced workforce welfare. Tinubu said Adeniyi’s contributions to national development would remain notable, particularly in strengthening the ease of doing business.
During the visit, the President commissioned a Customs hub comprising barracks, a training college, a warehouse, and a hospital, describing the facility as a strategic addition to Nigeria’s trade and logistics architecture.
In his remarks, Governor Abiodun described the President’s visit as historic, saying it underscores the federal government’s confidence in sub-national capacity to drive economic growth. He credited the Renewed Hope Agenda with steering Nigeria toward fiscal discipline, economic recovery, and sustainable development.
The governor highlighted key federal reforms, including the unification of the foreign exchange regime, removal of fuel subsidy, and restructuring of public finance, which he said have helped restore investor confidence and attract foreign direct investment. He added that initiatives such as the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Programme, the student loan scheme, ongoing rail modernisation, and major highway projects including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Badagry-Sokoto corridor reflect a coordinated effort to reset the economy.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, described the National Assembly as central to Nigeria’s democratic process and commended Tinubu for reforms already taking root across sectors. He recalled the President’s role in pioneering independent power projects during his tenure as governor of Lagos State and urged further decentralisation of the Transmission Company of Nigeria to improve electricity distribution nationwide.
Akpabio also noted the administration’s emphasis on internally generated revenue, saying it has strengthened states’ financial independence and reduced reliance on borrowing for recurrent expenditure.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo reflected on Ogun State’s development trajectory, stating that its current level of infrastructure growth would have been difficult to envisage at its creation five decades ago. He attributed the progress to successive administrations and sustained governance efforts.
Other dignitaries at the event included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo, Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy Bosun Tijani, and Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Olayemi Cardoso, alongside several state governors and traditional rulers.
The Gateway Cargo International Airport is expected to strengthen Ogun State’s position as an industrial and logistics hub, while complementing national efforts to expand aviation infrastructure and stimulate economic activity across key sectors.
