Engineering innovation, quality roads critical to Nigeria’s economic transformation – Goronyo .. says Tinubu’s flagship highway projects will connect Nigeria, drive trade and create prosperity

By Onu Okorie

Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has called on Nigerian engineers, innovators, professionals in the diaspora and international development partners to deploy their expertise, technology and investments towards accelerating Nigeria’s infrastructure development and economic transformation.
A statement by special adviser to the Minister SA on Media Abdullahi Mohammed explained that Goronyo made the call while speaking at the 2026 UK Engineering Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, where he spoke on the theme, “Engineering Innovation for National Impact.”
The Minister described engineering as more than a technical profession, stressing that it remains a critical foundation for national development, economic growth and shared prosperity.
He said Nigeria’s large population, abundant natural resources and considerable human capital could only be translated into sustainable economic transformation through innovation, professionalism and deliberate investment in infrastructure.
According to him, “Roads lead to prosperity. They are not just pathways of asphalt and concrete; they are the arteries of commerce, agriculture and industry, carrying the lifeblood of our economy.”
Goronyo explained that quality road infrastructure was a major driver of economic growth because it facilitates the movement of people and goods, reduces transportation costs, creates employment and strengthens trade among communities and regions.
Flagship highway projects
The Minister said the Federal Government, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, had demonstrated strong commitment to infrastructure development through substantial investments in road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance.
He identified the administration’s flagship legacy highway projects as strategic economic corridors designed to improve connectivity among Nigeria’s geopolitical zones while unlocking new economic opportunities.
Among the projects highlighted were the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway; 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway; Trans-Sahara Trade Route linking Calabar to Abuja; and the 1,100-kilometre Akwanga-Jos-Maiduguri Superhighway.
Goronyo stressed that the projects should not be viewed merely as road construction initiatives, but as strategic economic lifelines capable of integrating communities, facilitating trade, strengthening regional connectivity and stimulating economic activities.
He said improved connectivity would help create an environment where businesses could operate more efficiently while opening up opportunities for agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, tourism and other sectors of the economy.
Professional standards, accountability
The Minister also emphasised the need for strict adherence to professional standards, regulatory requirements and accountability in the engineering sector.
He said the Federal Ministry of Works remained committed to ensuring that public infrastructure was delivered according to the highest professional and technical standards.
Goronyo said the Ministry had fully endorsed the proactive regulatory philosophy of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), including stronger sanctions for professional misconduct, improved technical monitoring and enhanced professional development through the Engineering Residency Programme.
According to him, the Ministry, under the leadership of the Minister of Works, Engr. (Sen.) David Nweze Umahi, CON, was intensifying project audits and technical oversight to ensure that only qualified, competent and duly registered professionals were entrusted with critical public infrastructure projects.
He urged Nigerian engineers to regard themselves as guardians of public safety and national development, noting that engineering excellence must remain at the heart of efforts to deliver durable and sustainable infrastructure.
Call to diaspora engineers
Goronyo further invited Nigerian engineers in the diaspora and international development partners to bring their expertise, innovations, investments and global experience to bear on Nigeria’s infrastructure development.
“Nigeria is open for business. Bring your talents, innovations and investments. Join us through Public-Private Partnerships, tax credit schemes and engineering collaborations.
“Together, we can build roads and bridges that do more than connect cities; they can connect dreams, aspirations, opportunities and prosperity,” he said.
The Minister expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Glasgow Branch, for inviting him to the conference and for providing a platform for Nigerian engineers and international professionals to exchange ideas on how engineering could contribute to national development.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting President Tinubu’s vision of a Nigeria where movement is seamless, logistics are efficient, infrastructure is sustainable and prosperity is widely shared.