Ministry of Works Partners NBA on Legal Support for Infrastructure Delivery

Ministry of Works Partners NBA on Legal Support for Infrastructure Delivery

By Our Reporter

Abuja (Core Reporters) — The Minister of State for Works, Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., has received the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, and members of her delegation, with a call for stronger collaboration between the Ministry and the legal profession to support effective infrastructure development and project delivery in Nigeria.

Goronyo made the call when he received the NBA delegation in his office in Abuja on Thursday, September 17, 2026, describing the visit as an important step towards strengthening the relationship between the Federal Ministry of Works and the NBA.

He said the collaboration would be particularly useful in areas such as legal support, infrastructure contracts, dispute resolution and the implementation of major road projects.

The Minister congratulated Badejo-Okusanya on her assumption of office as NBA President and urged her to use her tenure to promote unity within the legal profession, including reaching out to those who contested the position with her.

He also encouraged her to draw on the wisdom and experience of senior members of the Bar, noting that their counsel would be valuable in strengthening unity within the profession and advancing the rule of law.

Goronyo said the Federal Ministry of Works was willing to partner with the NBA in areas where legal expertise could contribute to the successful delivery of infrastructure projects.

According to him, the activities of the Ministry are closely linked to the legal profession, as road and other infrastructure projects require sound contractual and legal frameworks.

“There is no contract that can be awarded without an agreement, and there cannot be an agreement without the possibility of disputes. We therefore need to leverage our relationship and ensure that we utilise what we have so that together we can build a prosperous nation,” he said.

The Minister said the Ministry, under the leadership of the Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, remained committed to supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in advancing the Renewed Hope Agenda through the development and rehabilitation of critical road infrastructure across the country.

He highlighted major projects under the Federal Government’s infrastructure programme, including the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Maiduguri corridor.

According to him, the projects are designed to improve connectivity, facilitate economic activities and strengthen access across different parts of the country.

Goronyo also stressed the importance of adequate road infrastructure to national development, noting that improved roads would support agriculture, trade, security, transportation and the movement of people and goods.

He assured the NBA President that the Ministry would examine concerns raised over the road and drainage infrastructure around the NBA Secretariat and consider appropriate technical assessment and recommendations.

Earlier, the Director of Legal Services, Federal Ministry of Works, Princess Frank Chukuani, welcomed the NBA delegation and noted that infrastructure development could not be effectively achieved without a strong legal framework.

She said the Ministry’s Legal Services Department plays an important role in ensuring that contracts and other activities of the Ministry are properly guided by law.

Chukuani expressed optimism that the visit would open new areas of cooperation between the Ministry and the NBA.

Speaking during the visit, the NBA President, Mrs. Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, SAN, commended the Federal Ministry of Works for its efforts towards improving Nigeria’s road infrastructure.

She said the NBA had observed ongoing construction and rehabilitation works in different parts of the country and acknowledged the importance of infrastructure to national development.

The NBA President described roads as critical gateways to economic growth and expressed the Association’s willingness to partner with the Ministry in areas where legal expertise could contribute to the effective delivery of infrastructure projects.

She specifically identified contract review, legal advisory services, capacity development, alternative dispute resolution and arbitration as areas where the NBA could support the Ministry.

According to her, construction arbitration is increasingly important in the infrastructure sector, adding that lawyers and other professionals could develop expertise in the field.

“We are ready to offer our partnership and our expertise when called upon to do so, including reviewing contracts and developing knowledge in these areas,” she said.

Badejo-Okusanya also proposed collaboration on capacity-building initiatives, particularly in construction arbitration and alternative dispute resolution, to help reduce prolonged disputes and contribute to the timely completion of infrastructure projects.

She further appealed to the Ministry to consider the condition of the road leading to the NBA Secretariat, as well as drainage challenges affecting the area.

Responding, Goronyo assured the NBA President that the Ministry would look into the concerns and take the necessary steps towards a technical assessment.

During the visit, the NBA President also presented a gift to the Minister as a gesture of goodwill and appreciation.

Goronyo expressed appreciation to the NBA President and her delegation for the visit, stressing that stronger cooperation between the legal profession and the Ministry of Works would contribute to the successful implementation of infrastructure projects and the overall development of the country.

He said the Ministry looked forward to a mutually beneficial partnership with the NBA in support of infrastructure development and national progress.