The Presidency on Monday highlighted key achievements across Nigeria’s health, education and transportation sectors as it prepares for a nationwide media tour of ongoing projects under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate,
disclosed the developments during a media briefing in Abuja, saying the tour would begin in the North-West and provide journalists with firsthand access to projects executed by the Federal Government.
He said it had recorded major milestones, including the establishment of six National Oncology Centres across the country.
Prof. Pate, represented by Senior Special Assistant, Barrister Chinedu Moore, said three of the centres had already been completed and commissioned, while the remaining three were at advanced stages.
He described the facilities as world-class cancer treatment centres designed to improve care and reduce the need for Nigerians to seek treatment abroad.
Moore also revealed that over 1,000 Primary Healthcare Centres had been upgraded or newly built, with an additional 5,500 facilities in the pipeline.
He said the intervention remained one of the most extensive efforts to strengthen grassroots healthcare delivery in Nigeria’s history.
The Presidency further highlighted reforms aimed at boosting local pharmaceutical manufacturing.
According to officials, an executive order signed in 2024 removed VAT and import duties on raw materials and equipment for drug production.
They said the move was intended to make locally produced medicines more competitive and had already attracted interest from international pharmaceutical companies willing to establish manufacturing bases in Nigeria.
In the education sector, the government disclosed that more than one million Nigerian students had gained access to interest-free education loans under the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.
Officials said 950,000 students had so far registered for the programme, while over ₦133bn had been disbursed to beneficiaries in universities, polytechnics, colleges of education and vocational institutions.
They described the initiative as one of the most impactful social interventions in recent years.
The officials explained that repayment would begin two years after beneficiaries complete the National Youth Service Corps, with no interest charged on the loans.
They noted that the scheme had gained significant traction in northern Nigeria, especially in the North-West, North-East and North-Central regions.
They also said the programme remained transparent and technology-driven, with a public dashboard allowing Nigerians to monitor applications and disbursements.
On transportation, the Federal Government said major infrastructure projects were ongoing nationwide, including rail expansion and strategic road developments.
Director of Rail Development, Sir James Zirra, said the Abuja–Kaduna rail line had been completed, while efforts were underway to extend the corridor to Kano.
He added that sections of the project were expected to be delivered soon.
Zirra also disclosed that the Kano–Maradi rail line and the Kano–Dutse branch line were progressing as part of plans to connect key commercial hubs across northern Nigeria.
He said increased rail usage would reduce the number of heavy-duty trucks on highways, thereby prolonging road lifespan and improving safety.
Government officials also listed priority road projects to be inspected during the media tour, including the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway and the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano expressway.
They further revealed that the Ajaokuta–Kaduna–Kano gas pipeline was about 95 per cent completed.
The project, they said, would boost industrial growth in northern Nigeria by improving access to gas.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and Senior Special Assistant Tunde Rahman stressed the importance of media participation in the tour.
According to them, firsthand reporting would help counter misinformation and ensure Nigerians were accurately informed about government projects and their impact on daily life.
The nationwide tour is being coordinated by the Renewed Hope Ambassadors under the leadership of Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.
