In a scathing critique of the Federal Government’s recent spending decision, Mr. Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has vehemently opposed the approval of ₦142 billion for the construction of modern bus terminals. Obi characterized the massive expenditure as a glaring example of poor leadership and a fundamental misallocation of Nigeria’s scarce resources, arguing that it does not constitute true governance.
The controversial project, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), is designed to build one state-of-the-art bus terminal in each of the country’s six geopolitical zones. Officials from the government have defended the initiative, stating that its primary goal is to modernize the nation’s transport infrastructure, enhance connectivity between regions, and improve the overall commuter experience for Nigerians.
However, Peter Obi remains unconvinced. He asserts that while infrastructure development is important, the current dire state of other critical sectors makes this project a severe misstep in national priority setting.
The Core Argument: A Question of Scarce Resource Prioritization
At the heart of Obi’s argument is a fundamental principle of development economics: the effective prioritization of limited resources. In a detailed statement released on Friday titled “₦142 Billion for Bus Terminals,” Obi elaborated on this point, directly questioning the government’s competence and focus.
“The difference between the success and failure of development in any nation is how you prioritise your scarce resources,” Obi stated. “The recent announcement that a sum of ₦142 billion has been approved by the Federal Government for the construction of one bus terminal in each of our six geopolitical zones further affirms the lack of competence, lack of focus and poor leadership.”
Obi’s criticism extends beyond mere disagreement with a single policy. He frames it as a symptom of a broader and more dangerous trend in governance—one where grandiose, visible projects are chosen over essential but less glamorous investments in human capital and social welfare. This approach, he warns, will inevitably lead to continued stagnation in Nigeria’s development trajectory.
A Stark Contrast: Bus Terminals vs. National Healthcare Funding
To illustrate the gravity of this misplacement of priorities, Obi presented a stark and powerful comparison. He directed public attention to the nation’s health sector, specifically the combined budgetary allocation for all of Nigeria’s teaching hospitals and federal psychiatric centres in the 2024 fiscal year.
Alarmingly, the total budget for these critical healthcare institutions is less than ₦100 billion. This means the government is choosing to spend significantly more on six bus terminals than it is on the primary healthcare infrastructure responsible for training medical personnel, handling complex cases, and providing essential mental health services to the entire nation.
This disparity is what Obi describes as a “tragic irony.” He emphasized that health is one of the most vital areas of national development, yet it remains “deteriorating and grossly underfunded.” The consequences of this chronic underfunding are not abstract; they have a direct and devastating impact on the lives of ordinary citizens.
The Mental Health Crisis: Highlighting a Deeper Neglect
Obi bolstered his argument by citing a recent report from the World Health Organization (WHO), which estimates that over 20 million Nigerians are currently living with mental health issues. This statistic underscores the critical need for robust, well-funded psychiatric care and mental health support systems across the country.
The decision to allocate ₦142 billion to transportation hubs while the institutions meant to address a crisis affecting 20 million people receive a fraction of that sum is, in Obi’s view, indefensible. It represents a failure to grasp the most urgent needs of the population and a willingness to overlook human suffering in favor of concrete and steel.
Conclusion: Redefining Governance Through Prudent Spending
Peter Obi’s condemnation concludes with a simple yet powerful verdict: “This is not governance.” For him, true governance is defined by empathetic, strategic, and competent leadership that recognizes the immediate needs of its people. It involves making difficult but necessary choices that invest in human development, healthcare, education, and poverty eradication—the true foundations of a prosperous society.
The debate over the ₦142 billion bus terminals project has thus become a larger conversation about the very nature of governance and development in Nigeria. It challenges the government and the public to ask whether impressive terminals are what the nation needs most, or if those funds could save and improve more lives by being channeled into the crumbling healthcare system and other critical, life-saving sectors.
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₦ 142 Billion for Bus Terminals: Another Evidence of misplaced Priority
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) August 22, 2025
The difference between the success and failure of the development in any nation is how you prioritise your scarce resources.
The recent announcement that a sum of ₦142 billion has been approved by the…
