Nasarawa State Government has trained management staff in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on tools to implement climate-smart Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects.
The initiative aims to address the state’s infrastructure deficit and boost economic growth.
The capacity-building workshop was organised by the Nasarawa Investment and Development Agency (NASIDA) in collaboration with the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF).
Speaking at the event on Friday in Lafia, Mr Ibrahim Abdullahi, Managing Director of NASIDA, underscored the critical role of PPPs in infrastructural development.
He noted that Nasarawa State remained a leading example among sub-nationals in the West African region.
Abdullahi explained that the primary goal of PPPs in delivering public goods was to optimise non-performing or underperforming government assets to maximise value for both the government and the people.
He expressed appreciation for the partnership with UKNIAF, stating that its support aligned with the Nasarawa state government’s objective to implement infrastructure projects that catalyse economic growth.
“UKNIAF has supported us in delivering critical reforms, developing a contingent liability framework, and producing a PPP manual—one of the most effective and robust among sub-nationals in Nigeria.
“Our PPP framework evaluates transactions and projects as candidates for policy improvement, incorporating lessons learned from past experiences.
“Nasarawa state has executed more PPP transactions than any other state in Nigeria. To sustain this momentum, continuous capacity building is essential,” he said.
Abdullahi urged participants to share their knowledge with colleagues in their respective MDAs to enhance the state’s ability to deliver sustainable PPP projects across various sectors.
Also speaking at the event, Mr Mike Imafido, a PPP Specialist with UKNIAF, introduced participants to a new PPP tool—the 360-Degree Project Screening and Assessment Tool (360° PSAT).
According to him, the tool helps institutions screen and prepare infrastructure projects more effectively.
“The output of this tool is a pipeline of bankable projects.
“It enables policymakers to decide whether to allocate further resources to a project.
“Ultimately, it helps public institutions ensure value for money,” Imafido said.
He added that the workshop was designed to improve the delivery of climate-smart PPP infrastructure projects in Nasarawa State.
“We explored ways to navigate constraints in delivering such projects, scale up successful initiatives, and prepare bankable climate-smart infrastructure projects.
“Additionally, we provided practical guidance on advancing Nasarawa State’s PPP pipeline, particularly in the areas of Agriculture, Energy, and Technology, to attract financing,” he said.