Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Saturday said Nigeria’s infrastructure woes are caused more by weak leadership and lack of political will than shortage of funds or resources.
Speaking at the 36th Combined Convocation Lecture of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), the former Rivers State governor declared that the country has what it takes to develop modern infrastructure but has continued to suffer from poor leadership and failure to implement policies.
Delivering a lecture titled “Leadership and Infrastructure Development in Nigeria: Lessons for Future Leaders,” Wike said leaders must stop treating infrastructure as an afterthought if Nigeria hopes to achieve meaningful development.
“It must be clearly understood that infrastructure is not a luxury to be pursued at convenience, but a necessity to be prioritised with urgency,” he said.
According to him, roads, hospitals, schools, electricity, water supply and digital infrastructure are essential for economic growth and improving the quality of life of Nigerians.
The FCT minister stressed that infrastructure projects succeed only when leaders are willing to take responsibility and see them through to completion.
“It must also be emphasised that infrastructure is not built by policy statements alone, but by purposeful leadership. Policies may provide direction, but it is commitment that delivers results.
“Blueprints do not build roads; declarations do not generate power; speeches do not construct bridges. It is leadership that acts, persists and completes that transforms ideas into infrastructure and aspirations into achievement,” he stated.
Wike blamed years of abandoned projects and failed policies on lack of accountability in public service, insisting that leaders must be held responsible for their actions and performance.
“Where accountability is absent, failure multiplies without consequence. But where it is present, performance becomes not an option, but an obligation,” he said.
In a direct assessment of the country’s development challenges, Wike said Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit is not because solutions are unavailable but because leaders often fail to make tough decisions.
“Perhaps the most sobering lesson of all is this: the challenge of infrastructure development in Nigeria is not one of impossibility, but of indecision.
“When leadership is weak, projects stall. When leadership hesitates, systems falter. But when leadership is firm, disciplined, decisive and committed, results inevitably follow,” he said.
The minister urged graduating students to embrace integrity, courage and discipline as they prepare for leadership roles, noting that Nigeria’s future depends on leaders who are ready to deliver results rather than make promises.
“The future of Nigeria will be determined not by what is said, but by what is done,” he declared.
Wike challenged the graduates to become leaders who build lasting institutions and infrastructure capable of transforming the country.
The lecture was one of the major highlights of UNIPORT’s 36th Combined Convocation Ceremony attended by academics, government officials, alumni and graduating students.
