Infrastructure Key to Economic Growth, Adeladan Tells Global Conference

"Infrastructure plays a strategic role in driving productivity across sectors including agriculture, transportation, commerce, and oil and gas by easing the movement of goods and services, attracting investments, and improving citizens’ quality of life." Adeladan.

Rafiu Olarinre Adeladan, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Works, has reiterated that infrastructure development, remains the backbone of economic growth and sustainable national development, even as he stressed that "no country can achieve meaningful progress without significant investment in critical infrastructure".

Adeladan made this known while speaking at the International Civil Service Conference 2026 in Abuja on Thursday, stating that the current administration has placed infrastructure and transportation at the centre of its national development agenda.

He noted that advanced economies such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany and South Africa have achieved remarkable economic growth through sustained investments in roads, rail systems, power, and other critical infrastructure.

According to him, infrastructure plays a strategic role in driving productivity across sectors including agriculture, transportation, commerce, and oil and gas by easing the movement of goods and services, attracting investments, and improving citizens’ quality of life.

The Permanent Secretary also disclosed that the ministry has adopted the Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology for road construction in line with global standards and as part of efforts to address the effects of climate change on infrastructure.

He explained that although CRCP roads require higher initial construction costs, they are more durable, environmentally sustainable, and capable of lasting up to 50 years with minimal maintenance while withstanding heavy traffic.

Adeladan added that the technology would further boost local content development through the use of locally sourced materials and labour, creating jobs and stimulating economic activities.

On infrastructure financing, he identified inadequate funding as one of the major challenges facing the sector, noting that government alone cannot bridge Nigeria’s huge infrastructure deficit.

He said this had necessitated the adoption of Public-Private Partnerships and concession arrangements for major road projects across the country.

The Permanent Secretary cited the Benin-Asaba Road and the Abuja-Keffi-Akwanga corridor as projects already concessioned to guarantee sustainable maintenance, improved efficiency, and better service delivery.

He emphasised the need for infrastructure projects to be designed with sustainability, climate resilience, and community needs in mind to ensure long-term socio-economic benefits.

Also speaking at the conference, the Permanent Secretary, State House, Temitope Peter Fashedemi, stressed the importance of proper planning and climate-conscious infrastructure delivery to reduce losses caused by flooding, erosion, and poor maintenance culture.

Similarly, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, Emanso Umobong, advocated the integration of technology, smart city concepts, community participation, and human capital development in infrastructure planning.

The Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission also called for stronger private sector participation, saying Nigeria’s infrastructure gap can only be addressed through sustainable financing models that guarantee investor confidence and returns.

The conference attracted senior government officials, policymakers, development experts, and stakeholders who deliberated on strategies for strengthening infrastructure delivery through innovation, technology, and collaboration.

The statement was signed by Mohammed A. Ahmed.