President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assumed leadership of a newly constituted presidential power sector task force, even as the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved major infrastructure contracts worth trillions of naira for rail, road, and bridge development across the country.
At its meeting on Thursday, the FEC approved $2.99 billion for three rail projects in Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna states, alongside road and bridge projects valued at over N7 trillion. The approvals cover 10 major projects spread across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Key among them are the N1.86 trillion extension of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway into Akwa Ibom State, the N548.98 billion reconstruction of the Carter Bridge in Lagos, and a new N1.79 trillion section of the Sokoto–Badagry Expressway.
Briefing State House correspondents in Abuja, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the decisions followed a comprehensive review by a committee chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President.
Idris also announced the appointment of Mr Rilwan Babalola as Special Adviser to the President on Power, as well as the establishment of a high-level Power Sector Reform Task Force chaired directly by President Tinubu.
According to him, the task force reflects the administration’s renewed focus on addressing Nigeria’s long-standing power challenges and driving economic growth through improved electricity supply.
The 10-member task force includes key cabinet members such as the Ministers of Finance, Gas, Industry, Trade and Investment, Information, the Attorney General of the Federation, the Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission, and representatives from both generation and distribution companies. Its composition may be expanded at the President’s discretion.
Idris noted that the initiative stems from recommendations on strengthening the proposed Grid Asset Management framework and improving institutional coordination in the power sector.
The new measures, according to the government, are part of broader efforts to accelerate infrastructure development and reposition the power sector as a key driver of national economic transformation.
