ABUJA, Nigeria – Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi has condemned the federal government’s approval of ₦142 billion for bus terminals, calling it a “tragic irony” given the chronic underfunding of Nigeria’s health sector.
On August 14, the Federal Executive Council approved the transport project, described by Transport Minister Sa’idu Alkali as the first direct federal investment in public transport infrastructure outside road construction.
But Obi, in a post on X, argued that the spending reflects “poor judgment and lack of leadership focus.”
He highlighted that the entire 2024 budget for all federal teaching hospitals and psychiatric centres stands at less than ₦100 billion.
“The difference between success and failure in development lies in how a nation prioritises scarce resources,” Obi said.
He stressed that with over 20 million Nigerians facing mental health challenges, health should rank far above terminal projects.
“This is disturbing. Health is a critical area of development that remains grossly underfunded,” he added.
Obi urged government to redirect funds toward strengthening essential services rather than “cosmetic projects” that do little to address urgent national needs.
