Nigeria cannot fund its infrastructure needs through public budgets alone, The Alternative Bank has said, urging stronger private-sector participation in power, transport, digital connectivity, and subnational development projects.
The bank said government resources already face heavy demands across security, health, education, debt service, and social spending. It argued that infrastructure funding must now draw more long-term capital from investors, financial institutions, and development partners.
Jacob Achem, Branch Manager, Dei-Dei Branch, represented The Alternative Bank’s Divisional Head at a session on “Financing Infrastructure — Unlocking Private Capital” during the Nigeria Infrastructure Conference, INFRACON 2026, in Abuja.
“The infrastructure gap is too large to be addressed by public funding alone,” Achem said. “We need to unlock private capital and create financing structures that allow more investors to participate in Nigeria’s development.”
The session brought together policymakers, business leaders, development finance institutions, and infrastructure experts to examine how Nigeria can move more projects from planning to delivery.
