As President Bola Tinubu’s administration marks its second year in office, questions are being raised about whether federal projects and appointments are being distributed equitably across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
Critics allege that the government has concentrated more resources and opportunities in the South-West, particularly Lagos State, the president’s political stronghold, at the expense of other regions.
Billions Approved for Projects Across Zones
A Daily Trust review of projects approved by the Federal Executive Council shows the following breakdown over the past two years:
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South-West: ₦5.97 trillion
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South-South: ₦2.41 trillion
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South-East: ₦407.49 billion
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North-Central & Abuja: ₦1.15 trillion
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North-West: ₦2.7 trillion
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North-East: ₦403.98 billion
In addition, ₦2.70 trillion was set aside for nationwide projects, bringing the total approvals to ₦15.79 trillion.
Among the most controversial allocations is ₦712 billion earmarked for the renovation and modernization of the international passenger terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
Government Denies Bias
In response, the Federal Government dismissed the allegations as misleading. Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, insisted that the Tinubu administration is committed to fairness and inclusivity.
“The government of President Bola Tinubu is working with honesty, trust, and fairness in distributing positions and executing projects across the six regions without favoritism,” Idris said.
He cited ongoing projects across the country, including:
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A modern railway line in Kano (₦150bn) and Kaduna (₦100bn).
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Renovation of 1,000 primary healthcare facilities nationwide.
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Continuation of the AKK gas pipeline and oil exploration in northern states such as Bauchi and Gombe.
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Progress on the Kano-Maradi railway, which the government says has advanced from 5% to 67% completion.
Idris also presented alternative figures showing the North-West receiving ₦5.97 trillion—more than 40% of total allocations—while excluding Lagos from the South-West tally of ₦604 billion.
Northern Leaders Voice Concerns
Despite government assurances, northern political figures remain unconvinced. Former governors Nasir El-Rufai and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, alongside the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), have accused the president of prioritizing his home region.
The ACF argued that the North, which delivered the highest voter turnout in 2023, deserves greater attention.
However, Vice President Kashim Shettima dismissed the allegations as political mischief. He noted that in the early days of the Tinubu government, 24 out of 46 ministers hailed from the North, including heads of key sectors such as security, education, and agriculture.
A Familiar Debate
Nigeria’s political history shows that presidents often face accusations of regional favoritism. Tinubu’s predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, was frequently criticized for allegedly favoring the North during his eight-year tenure—allegations his government strongly denied.
For Tinubu, the challenge remains balancing development projects and appointments in a way that reassures all regions that “no one will be left behind.”