Goronyo, NBA seek stronger collaboration on infrastructure projects

By Onu Okorie

Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has called for stronger collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Works and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to enhance infrastructure development and ensure effective project delivery across Nigeria.
Goronyo made the call on Thursday, September 17, 2026, when he received the President of the NBA, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, and members of her delegation at his office in Abuja.
The development was disclosed by the Special Adviser on Media to the Minister of State for Works, Abdullahi Mohammed, in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja.
The minister described the NBA delegation’s visit as an important step towards deepening the relationship between the Ministry and the legal profession, particularly in the areas of legal support, infrastructure contracts, dispute resolution and the implementation of major road projects.
Goronyo congratulated Badejo-Okusanya on her assumption of office as NBA President and urged her to use her tenure to promote unity within the legal profession, including reaching out to those who contested the position with her.
He also encouraged her to draw on the experience and wisdom of senior members of the Bar, saying their counsel would be valuable in strengthening unity within the profession and advancing the rule of law.
The minister said the Ministry of Works was willing to partner with the NBA in areas where legal expertise could contribute to the successful delivery of infrastructure projects.
According to him, the activities of the Ministry are closely connected to the legal profession because road and other infrastructure projects require sound contractual and legal frameworks.
“There is no contract that can be awarded without an agreement, and there cannot be an agreement without the possibility of disputes. We therefore need to leverage our relationship and ensure that we utilise what we have so that together we can build a prosperous nation,” Goronyo said.
He said the Ministry, under the leadership of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, remained committed to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda through the development and rehabilitation of critical road infrastructure across the country.
Goronyo cited major projects under the Federal Government’s infrastructure programme, including the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri corridor.
He said the projects were aimed at improving connectivity, facilitating economic activities and strengthening access across different parts of the country.
The minister also stressed that adequate road infrastructure was essential to national development, noting that improved roads would support agriculture, trade, security, transportation and the movement of people and goods.
On the NBA’s concerns about infrastructure around its secretariat, Goronyo assured the association that the Ministry would examine the condition of the access road and drainage infrastructure and consider appropriate technical assessment and recommendations.
Earlier, the Director of Legal Services at the Federal Ministry of Works, Princess Frank Chukuani, welcomed the NBA delegation and emphasised the importance of a strong legal framework to infrastructure development.
She said the Ministry’s Legal Services Department plays a key role in ensuring that contracts and other activities of the Ministry are properly guided by law.
Chukuani expressed optimism that the visit would open new areas of cooperation between the Ministry and the NBA.
In her remarks, the NBA President commended the Federal Ministry of Works for its efforts to improve Nigeria’s road infrastructure.
Badejo-Okusanya said the NBA had observed ongoing road construction and rehabilitation works in different parts of the country and recognised the importance of infrastructure to national development.
She described roads as critical gateways to economic growth and expressed the association’s readiness to partner with the Ministry in areas where legal expertise could contribute to effective infrastructure delivery.
She identified contract review, legal advisory services, capacity development, alternative dispute resolution and arbitration as areas in which the NBA could support the Ministry.
The NBA President said construction arbitration was becoming increasingly important in the infrastructure sector and urged lawyers and other professionals to develop expertise in the field.
“We are ready to offer our partnership and our expertise when called upon to do so, including reviewing contracts and developing knowledge in these areas,” she said.
Badejo-Okusanya also proposed joint capacity-building initiatives, particularly in construction arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, saying such collaboration could help reduce prolonged disputes and contribute to the timely completion of infrastructure projects.
She further appealed to the Ministry to address the condition of the road leading to the NBA Secretariat and the drainage challenges affecting the area.
Responding, Goronyo assured the NBA President that the Ministry would look into the concerns and take the necessary steps towards a technical assessment.
During the visit, the NBA President presented a gift to the minister as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation.
Goronyo expressed appreciation to the NBA President and her delegation for the visit, saying stronger cooperation between the legal profession and the Ministry of Works would contribute to the successful implementation of infrastructure projects and the overall development of the country.
He said the Ministry looked forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with the NBA in support of infrastructure development and national progress.