The All Progressives Congress has outlined an economic roadmap for achieving President Bola Tinubu’s target of building a $1tn Nigerian economy by 2030.
The APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, presented the roadmap on Tuesday while representing Tinubu at the second edition of the Asiwaju Scorecard Series and Policy Roundtable organised by the APC Professional Forum.
Yilwatda said the administration was laying the foundation for the target through economic reforms, infrastructure development, human capital investment and expansion of the country’s productive capacity.
He said the reforms became necessary because the administration inherited an economy affected by fuel subsidy distortions, multiple foreign exchange windows, weak revenue mobilisation, foreign exchange shortages and rising debt-service pressures.
The APC chairman cited improvements in some economic indicators, including external reserves of about $52.7bn as of August 2026, increased non-oil revenue and real GDP growth of 4.43 per cent in the second quarter of 2026.
He, however, said macroeconomic stability was only a foundation, stressing that Nigerians must ultimately feel the impact through cheaper food, more jobs, affordable credit, reliable electricity and increased purchasing power.
Yilwatda said achieving a $1tn economy required an integrated infrastructure and trade network connecting production centres, ports, markets and neighbouring countries.
He proposed an integrated five-port maritime and logistics corridor linking major ports in Lagos, Ondo, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Cross River states through modern road and rail infrastructure.
He said the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Super Highway and major rail and road corridors could connect Nigeria’s coastal gateways to the hinterland and markets across West, Central and North Africa.
According to him, the development of industrial parks, logistics hubs, export-processing zones, agro-processing clusters and manufacturing centres along the corridors would help turn infrastructure investments into engines of economic growth.
The APC chairman also highlighted the strategic importance of expanding rail connectivity towards Maradi and the wider Sahel, saying improved links would boost regional trade and create opportunities for Nigerian manufacturers.
He identified reliable and affordable energy as another critical requirement for industrialisation, citing the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano gas pipeline as a key project capable of supporting electricity generation, fertiliser production and manufacturing.
Yilwatda also listed education, skills development and access to credit among the administration’s priorities for expanding Nigeria’s productive capacity.
He cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund and various skills and digital training programmes as initiatives aimed at improving access to education and preparing young Nigerians for employment opportunities.
The APC chairman further highlighted investments in healthcare and the solid minerals sector, saying Nigeria must move from exporting raw materials to developing local processing and manufacturing capacity.
Earlier, the Chairman of the APC Professional Forum, Isa Yuguda, described the forum as a platform for party members and policymakers to explain and communicate the achievements of the Tinubu administration.
Yuguda defended the removal of fuel subsidy, describing it as one of the administration’s most consequential decisions and arguing that it had expanded the fiscal resources available to governments for development.
He warned against returning to the previous subsidy regime, urging Nigerians to assess political proposals ahead of the 2027 elections based on their sustainability and economic credibility.
