News
Over 420 Federal Roads Now Completed or in Development, Says FG
The Federal Government has revealed that more than 420 federal roads, bridges, and other infrastructure projects have been either completed or are at advanced stages of completion under President Bola Tinubu’s administration within the first two years in office.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Barinada Mpigi, made this known in a goodwill message delivered by his representative, Ashley Emenike, at the opening ceremony of the 33rd Engineering Assembly organised by the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria on Tuesday in Abuja.
Themed “Advancing Quality Engineering Services and Businesses in Nigeria: Professionalism, Compliance and Remunerations”, the annual event drew professionals from across the country to deliberate on engineering ethics, infrastructure standards, and national development.
Mpigi hailed engineers as indispensable drivers of Nigeria’s development, noting that their work forms the backbone of the country’s economic growth, infrastructure expansion, and industrial advancement. It was also declared that Nigerian engineers are not merely technical experts, but strategic nation builders who deserve a central role in policy making.
Speaking in his address, the senator said, “As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, I must reaffirm that engineering remains a cornerstone of national development,” he said. “Based on implementation reports and oversight missions by my committee, we estimate that over 420 federal roads, bridges, and projects have either been completed or advanced significantly within this administration.”
He specifically praised President Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda”, describing it as a catalyst for ongoing reforms and infrastructural ambition across the country. “From the visionary Lagos-Calabar coastal highway to investments in road, housing, energy, and bridges nationwide, Mr President has demonstrated unwavering commitment to making Nigeria work,” he said.
However, the senator raised concern over the rise in engineering-related failures, including collapsed buildings and deteriorating road infrastructure, attributing many of the incidents to poor compliance with professional standards.
“We must also squarely confront the growing concern over engineering failures. This persistent failure of infrastructure is a national alarm bell,” Mpigi warned. “It reflects lapses in compliance, poor supervision and, in some cases, outright quackery, a demonstration of a breakdown in the regulatory environment. It is unacceptable that in the 21st century, buildings are still collapsing under rain and bridges are caving in under minimal pressure.”
He stressed that such failures not only cost lives and public funds but also tarnish the image of the engineering profession. To address the situation, the lawmaker pledged the committee’s full support to COREN in strengthening enforcement and compliance measures across the country.
“I commit today that the Senate Committee on Works stands ready to partner with COREN and other allied professional bodies to confront these problems head-on,” he said. “We will assist in strengthening legislative frameworks that will enforce mandatory compliance in engineering standards, advocate full implementation of Nigerian building codes across all states, and support public enlightenment.”
Mpigi also commended COREN for linking participation in the engineering assembly to licence renewal, describing the initiative as a necessary step in ensuring professional accountability and public safety.
“This not only ensures that our practitioners are up-to-date, but it also preserves the integrity of the profession and protects the Nigerian public from the dangers of incompetence,” he added.
He concluded by calling for stronger collaboration among regulators, legislators, private sector players, and professional bodies to ensure durable infrastructure and uphold engineering excellence.
Participants at the summit further called on the government at all levels to integrate engineers into national development planning, warning that the future of Nigeria depends on the synergy between engineering expertise and enlightened public policy.
In his address, the former Minister of Power and Chairman of Geometric Power Group, Barth Nnaji, urged the government to establish dedicated innovation funds and technology parks to foster the development of homegrown engineering solutions to Nigeria’s unique challenges.
Nnaji said the country’s long-term progress depends on integrating indigenous talent, sound policy, and a commitment to innovation. “The government should establish dedicated funds and build technology parks where engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs can collaborate. These hubs will drive homegrown solutions tailored to our unique environment,” he said.
According to him, Nigeria’s engineering professionals are already well-positioned to design solutions in areas like off-grid solar energy, smart irrigation, climate-resilient housing, and other context-sensitive infrastructure.
“We like to say lawyers are the learned, but we are the builders, the creators of society. Engineers lay the foundation of every economy. From roads, bridges and dams to energy systems, digital networks, and healthcare access, our work enables nations to grow and prosper,” he said.
Citing the example of China, noting that the country’s extraordinary development over the past few decades was no accident, but the result of engineers holding key leadership positions.
“The last three leaders of China were engineers. The overwhelming majority of people in public office in China have engineering backgrounds. That’s not fortuitous, it is deliberate, and the results speak for themselves,” he said.
Nnaji urged Nigerian engineers to become more than just technical operatives, but strategic thinkers, policy advocates and innovators who understand global trends and can localize solutions for the country’s unique challenges.
In his opening remarks, COREN Registrar, Okorie Uche, called for a renewed commitment to professionalism and quality service delivery, describing the assembly as a platform to challenge assumptions, confront under-regulation, and push for systemic change.
COREN, he said, remains committed to addressing quackery, non-compliance, and poor service delivery, while advocating for policy reforms and better compensation frameworks for engineers across the country.
The President of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Margaret Oguntala, echoed the call for reforms, noting that quality education and fair remuneration are crucial to restoring professionalism.
She assured COREN of NSE’s continued collaboration in championing engineering integrity and excellence.
Kingdom Men Global Network aka KMEN has formally announced the programmes of the 13th edition of its flagship annual gathering for men, Mega Summit.
This year’s event will open on Thursday May 14 and end on Sunday May 17 with an all-men musical concert.
The 2026 edition of Mega Summit which will hold at the Presken Hotels on Alade Avenue opposite Airport Hotel, Ikeja Lagos has as theme: Legacy…Faith. Family. Community. And for the first time Mega Summit will host an award on the opening day in memory of foremost Nigerian diplomat and integrity personified and pioneer Chairman of the Board of Trustee of KMEN, late Dr Christopher Kolade who died last year at the age of 92.
The KMEN-Christopher Kolade – Men in Leadership Award for Courageous Manhood will be heralded by the Men in Leadership Summit (MiLEADS) with the sub-theme – Building a Culture of Leadership with Integrity. And will have as speakers Archbishop John Osa-Oni of Vineyard Christian Ministries., Pastor Tunde Bakare of The Citadel Global Community Church, and renowned Pharmacist, entrepreneur and politician Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, OFR.
Pastor Tunde Bakare
Day two will feature another special session for Men in Church Leadership (MiCLEADS) with the sub-theme: Leaving a Legacy of Faith/Discipling for the Next Generation, and will have as speakers Bishop Sunday Onadipe, Bishop, Methodist Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Badagry, Apostle Eyinnaya Okwuonu, former Chairman of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos Chapter., Pastor Dominion Roberts from Liberia, and Rev Fr Matthew Ogunyase of the Catholic Mission, Lagos.
While day three will open with a Special Town Hall discussion on Family with the sub-theme – The Father’s Role in Shaping Legacy and is the only mixed gender panel for Mega Summit 2026 featuring foremost life change coach, Mrs. Yemisi Lagunju and Rev David Abraham, who is the managing director of Managing Business for Christ (MBFC).
On Saturday is a Special Town Hall on Resisting an Emerging Legacy of Addictions. This segment will feature a presentation by Dr Dokun Adedeji on the ravage of Drug Addictions, alongside Abiose Akolade Ladipo, Co-Founder of GamblePause, a Lagos-based NGO in the fight against Gambling Addictions.
Later in the afternoon on Saturday is a second Town Hall session on Business and Economy with the sub-theme: Building Sustainable/Generational Businesses, and will feature notable panelists like Rev Professor Biodun Adedipe Founder of BA and Associates, and Rev Dr Abba Peter, Managing Director of Best Practices Limited, among others.Other Town Hall segments at Mega Summit 2026 include that on Politics/Governance with the sub-theme: Swimming Against the Tide – National Transformation through Service, and another Town Hall on Media featuring Mr. Mustapha Isah Osikhekha, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Omoba Deji Irawo and others as they navigate best way to Reclaim the Narrative: Legacy in Digital Spaces.
An extra-ordinary edition, the 13th edition of Mega Summit will also have segments designed to equip leaders in men’s ministry through the instrument of KMEN’s School of Men’s Ministry/ISI Training. Each day of Mega Summit 2026 is divided into three segments – morning starting at 9 am, afternoon session and evening climaxing with an impartation service.KMEN is an uncompromisingly Bible-based, independent ministry to men. Established nearly two decades ago, the ministry’s objective is to assist men, irrespective of their church affiliations, in their Christian Walk, that they may become better sons, brothers, husbands, fathers and leaders.
Manchester United are ready to spend in the region of £150million to sign three central midfielders this summer if there is enough room in the transfer budget.
Daily Mail Sport understands that United have earmarked around £80m for a marquee signing to replace Casemiro, who will leave at the end of his contract despite hopes among some fans that he could extend his stay at Old Trafford.
United know their No 1 target Elliot Anderson is likely to cost in excess of £100m, and Manchester City are in pole position to sign the Nottingham Forest star.
Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace, Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali and Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni are other names in the frame, although United’s interest in Tonali has cooled slightly and Tchouameni wants to sign a new contract at the Bernabeu.
United are prepared to spend around £40m on another midfielder to replace Manuel Ugarte if they can get a reasonable price for the Uruguayan who cost £50m from Paris Saint-Germain two years ago.
West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes has emerged as a player of interest, and Bournemouth duo Alex Scott and Tyler Adams would also fall into that category.
Despite tying Kobbie Mainoo to a new long-term contract, United could strengthen their squad by signing a third midfielder for about £20m. It’s understood that scouts have been monitoring the progress of Southampton’s Shea Charles.
However, it will depend on how much money is available with United expected to bring in a left-sided forward, left-back, central defender and a reserve goalkeeper in the summer.
The club will have considerably more to spend after confirming their return to the Champions League by beating Liverpool on Sunday, which is worth in excess of £100m.
United also hope to bank significant transfer fees for Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Andre Onana, Ugarte and, possibly, Joshua Zirkzee while creating additional space on the wage bill by offloading Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia and Altay Bayindir.
Jeremy Doku insisted Manchester “will keep on fighting” in the Premier League title race despite their “painful” draw with Everton on Monday.
City drew 3-3 with the Toffees at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Doku scoring a 97th-minute equaliser, having also scored the opening goal.
Doku’s equaliser (96:49) is City’s third-latest goal on record (since 2006-07) in a Premier League game after John Stones’ strike against Arsenal in September 2024 (97:14) and Gabriel Jesus’ goal against Everton in February 2019 (96:52).
Doku has had a hand in six goals across his last five games for City in all competitions (four goals, two assists), as many as in his previous 22 games combined (one goal, five assists).
The Belgian also created the most chances in the match against Everton (four), completed the most dribbles (5/7) and won the most duels (14/19).
City avoided defeat in a Premier League game despite trailing by 2+ goals as late as the 82nd minute for the first time since March 2012 against Sunderland (3-3).
They went on to win the league title in 2011-12, and Doku believes City can still beat Arsenal to the trophy this season.
“First half, we played well and created a lot of chances. We know if we don’t score those chances, it is going to get difficult at the end,” said Doku.
“Obviously, they are at their own stadium, they create chances, and they are dangerous, and they scored two goals, but I think we gave them the game.
“Good that we came back because one point is not bad in games like this.
“We will see. It feels painful now. There is still a lot of games to go. We lost two points, but we know that one point can be important at the end.
“We will keep on fighting. We owe it to ourselves and to our fans.”
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