President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday reaffirmed that infrastructure development remains central to his administration’s economic growth strategy, declaring that investments in roads and other critical public assets are designed to unlock economic opportunities, improve connectivity and enhance the quality of life of Nigerians.

Tinubu spoke in Abuja during the commissioning of Collector Road C01 and a bridge linking the Body of Benchers, Nile University and Baze University in the Institution and Research District of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The President was represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima.

The newly completed road forms part of the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) ongoing infrastructure renewal programme and is among projects being inaugurated to commemorate the second anniversary of the Tinubu administration.

Describing the project as another fulfilment of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Tinubu, who was represented by the vice president, Kashim Shettima, said his government had remained committed to translating campaign promises into tangible development outcomes rather than “abandoned dreams and half-hearted efforts.”

“We promised Renewed Hope, and today, as we stand on this newly constructed Collector Road C01, complete with its bridge, we are not just looking at a physical road; we are looking at a promise kept,” he said.

The President noted that the extension of the corridor towards RR III and other parts of the capital city, which was recently flagged off, would integrate the Institution and Research District with Abuja’s wider road network, easing traffic congestion and strengthening links between educational institutions, residential communities and commercial centres.

“One road becomes a system. That is how connectivity scales,” he added.

Tinubu recalled that the Body of Benchers had appealed to the Federal Government during the 2025 Call to Bar ceremony over the poor access road to its complex and the persistent traffic challenges affecting the district.

According to him, the administration responded swiftly by approving the project under emergency procurement to ensure that legal professionals, students and residents no longer endured the hardship caused by inadequate infrastructure.

He observed that the project had restored ease of movement, enhanced public safety and created a more conducive environment for academic and professional activities within the district.

The President also said the construction generated hundreds of direct and indirect jobs for young Nigerians, stressing that infrastructure investment remains one of the most effective tools for stimulating economic growth.

“When you build roads, you open up districts. When you open up districts, you invite investment. And when investment comes, Nigeria grows,” he stated.

Tinubu commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for what he described as his commitment to delivering projects within record time.

“You have proven once again that when you are given a job, you do not sleep until it is done. This marathon of project commissioning across the FCT is a clear testament that this administration is firmly in action mode,” he said.

He urged residents, students and management of the Body of Benchers, Nile University and Baze University to safeguard the infrastructure, noting that it represents government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for learning, innovation and national development.

Earlier, Wike said the completion of the road underscored the administration’s resolve to ensure balanced infrastructure development across all districts of the nation’s capital.

He noted that the government had continued to extend development to both the city centre and satellite towns, insisting that no part of the FCT would be neglected under the current administration.

The minister also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for approving the removal of the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), saying the decision had significantly improved access to resources and accelerated the execution of infrastructure projects across the territory.

“We thank you for your support. We thank you for the resources made available by removing us from the TSA. That is why today we are having so many projects to commission,” Wike said.

He also thanked the management of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for delivering the project and commended the President for his continued support for the FCT’s ambitious infrastructure agenda.

The commissioning of Collector Road C01 marks the 21st project inaugurated under the FCTA’s ongoing 31-day commissioning programme, which features roads, bridges and other strategic public infrastructure across Abuja.