The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved three major Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects aimed at boosting Nigeria’s infrastructure development and improving economic productivity across key sectors.
The approval was announced on Sunday in a statement issued by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission), through its Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Ifeanyi Nwoko.
The statement revealed that the approved projects include the development of a Smart National Transport Data Bank under the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, as well as Independent Power Projects at the Onne Port Complex and the Apapa Port Complex.
According to the commission, all projects underwent full regulatory processes, including review of Outline Business Cases, due diligence assessments, negotiations, and certification of Full Business Cases before being presented for FEC approval.
Director-General of the ICRC, Jobson Ewalefoh, described the approvals as part of a deliberate strategy to expand structured PPP investments that can unlock private sector funding and deliver measurable economic benefits.
He explained that the Smart National Transport Data Bank is designed to address long-standing challenges in Nigeria’s transport sector, particularly the lack of reliable and centralised data for planning and management.
“Nigeria’s biggest transport challenge is not just infrastructure; it is the lack of reliable, usable data,” Ewalefoh said.
He added that the system would provide a nationwide digital platform integrating real-time data from road, rail, air and marine transport networks to improve efficiency and planning.
The platform is also expected to deploy modern technologies such as vehicle tagging and automated number plate recognition to support traffic enforcement, monitoring and regulation.
Ewalefoh further noted that the initiative would enhance government planning capacity, reduce inefficiencies and generate new revenue streams through digital compliance systems.
On the energy projects, he said the Independent Power Projects at Onne and Apapa ports were designed to address chronic electricity shortages affecting Nigeria’s busiest industrial and maritime corridors.
He disclosed that the Onne Port project would generate about 50 megawatts of electricity to supply the port complex and the Oil and Gas Free Zone, improving operational efficiency and reducing disruptions.
At the Apapa Port Complex, he said the hybrid power project is expected to deliver around 36 megawatts of electricity, ensuring more stable power supply within Nigeria’s busiest port environment.
“These are not just power projects; they are productivity enablers,” Ewalefoh said.
He explained that stable electricity in the port corridors would significantly reduce the cost of doing business, improve trade efficiency and strengthen Nigeria’s competitiveness as a regional logistics hub.
The ICRC boss also stressed that the projects reflect the government’s broader commitment to addressing infrastructure gaps through structured PPP arrangements that attract private investment while safeguarding public interests.
He reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to ensuring transparency, value for money and adherence to international best practices in all PPP transactions.
The newly approved initiatives are expected to play a key role in improving transport coordination, boosting industrial productivity and strengthening Nigeria’s overall economic infrastructure base.
