When Nigeria speaks of infrastructure renewal in this defining era, one name echoes across highways, bridges and construction corridors, Senator Dave Umahi, Honourable Minister of Works and the Silverbird Extraordinary Personality of the Year 2025.
On Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, the spotlight of the 20th edition of the Silverbird Man of the Year Awards will shine brightly on a man whose blueprint for national development is being written in asphalt, steel and concrete.
From Engineering Foundations to National Leadership
Born on July 25, 1963, in Uburu, Ebonyi State, Senator Dave Umahi built his early career not in politics, but in engineering — a discipline that would later define his governance philosophy. With a background in civil engineering, Umahi’s transition from private sector professional to public servant was driven by a belief that development must be practical, measurable and sustainable.
His political journey saw him serve as Deputy Governor and later Governor of Ebonyi State, where his administration earned recognition for bold infrastructure projects that redefined the state’s urban outlook. He would later represent Ebonyi South in the Senate, bringing legislative insight to complement his executive experience.
The Tinubu Mandate: Reimagining Nigeria’s Roads
Appointed Minister of Works on August 21, 2023, by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Umahi stepped into one of Nigeria’s most demanding portfolios. The road sector, long plagued by funding gaps and execution delays, required not just policy direction, but technical leadership.
Umahi brought both.
With an engineer’s precision and a reformer’s urgency, he prioritised project continuity, contractor accountability, and innovative construction methods. His approach shifted the ministry’s focus from paperwork to performance, ensuring visible progress across federal road networks.
Mega Projects, National Impact
Under his leadership, transformative infrastructure projects have gathered momentum. The ambitious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway corridor are envisioned to strengthen economic integration, boost regional trade and enhance mobility across the country.
In Lagos, the successful rehabilitation and reopening of the iconic Third Mainland Bridge reinforced public confidence in federal infrastructure management — a symbolic and practical milestone in urban transport renewal.
These are not merely road projects; they are economic arteries designed to stimulate commerce, reduce travel time, create jobs and reposition Nigeria as a competitive investment destination.
Beyond Construction: Strategic Partnerships
Umahi’s strategy extends beyond construction sites. By engaging international development partners such as the Islamic Development Bank, he has sought diversified funding models and technical collaborations to ensure sustainability. His emphasis remains clear: infrastructure is not an expense — it is an investment in national prosperity.
Recognition Rooted in Results
His recognition at the 2025 Silverbird Awards Night as Minister of the Year was a precursor to an even greater honour — the Silverbird Extraordinary Personality of the Year. It reflects a public perception shaped not by rhetoric, but by visible transformation.
At every turn, Umahi reiterates that Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit can be systematically reversed through discipline, transparency and innovation — principles he continues to champion.
A Legacy in Motion
As anticipation builds toward the grand ceremony in March 2026, Senator Dave Umahi’s story stands as one of technical expertise fused with political will. His leadership represents more than administrative oversight; it reflects a hands-on, results-driven model of governance.
The Silverbird Man of the Year Award 2025 will celebrate not just a public official, but a builder of national pathways — a leader who understands that when roads connect cities, they also connect possibilities.
In steel and strategy, in policy and performance, Dave Umahi’s imprint on Nigeria’s infrastructure renaissance is unmistakable — and still unfolding.
