Tuc said the poor leadership, overliance dependence on the blocking of oil increases in infrastructure $ 120 billion

The Nigerian Labor Union Congress (TUC) has warned that the country will need around $ 120 billion to build a federal road network, the number of almost four times its annual budget size.

Describe the difference between Nigerian infrastructure needs and available resources as “worrying,” the union accused many political leadership of lack of vision and innovation needed to revive the economy.

Speaking on Monday in the second edition of the TUC South-West Summit 2025 in Lagos, President General Tuc Festus Osifo quoted a 2013 study that set the cost of construction of all federal roads at a price of $ 120 billion.

With the current Nigerian budget established between $ 30 billion and $ 35 billion, has committed to salary, education, health care, defense, and other important things, Osifo stressed that the country’s infrastructure deficit cannot be overcome without significant income growth.

“If we build all the roads we will cost $ 120 billion, and our budget size is $ 30 billion, it means we need four times our budget only to improve the road, without paying salaries, funding education, or providing health care,” he told the delegates. “This is why we have to grow our income base and stop pretending that oil itself can support this country.”

Osifo blamed the government in succession for failing to diversify the economy even though there were many opportunities in agriculture and dense minerals. He linked the lack of chronic infrastructure funds not only with low income but also with weak and satisfied political leadership.

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“Most of our political chiefs, from the governor to the head of the local government, are relatively lazy. In some rural councils, you will not see the chairman until the allocation arrives,” he said. “We cannot continue with leaders who are waiting for monthly allocation before doing anything. They must think outside clear and work for people.”

Comparing Nigeria with countries with smaller sizes and fewer resources that produce more than agriculture than Nigeria from oil exports, Osifo deplored the impudent of the state of fertile land and human capital.

Representing the Governor of the State Lagos Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Commissioner for Companies and Training Afolabi Ayantayo acknowledged TUC’s concerns and urged stronger partnerships between the government and organized labor. He noted that Nigeria’s diplomatic missions abroad were performing poorly and often failed to secure the international market for local and manufacturing products.

“Collaboration is the key. We must invest in the development of skills, fair wages, and policies that overcome inflation and increasing living costs,” Ayantayo said. “In Lagos, we are committed to workers’ welfare and payment of timely salary, but we also realize the need to encourage productivity and innovation.”

Summit, the theme of collaboration to change: Building capacity for regional excellence and worker welfare, uniting labor leaders, government representatives, and private sector experts to explore strategies to accelerate economic growth in the southwest. Discussion includes agriculture, leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, and the role of artificial intelligence in the workplace.

In his closing remarks, Osifo reiterated that without a brave leadership, a lot of reason, and advanced minded, Nigeria would remain trapped in an inadequate budget cycle, worsening infrastructure, and losing opportunities.

“$ 120 billion needed to improve our path is not just numbers but a reflection of how far behind us. Only innovative leadership can bridge the gap,” he concluded.