Follow Us on Google
By Francis Nwaze
Today, July 25, 2025, Nigerians across the world celebrate an uncommon leader, a builder with divine vision, and a man whose life journey is deeply inspiring—Senator Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, Honourable Minister of Works, fondly called the Infrastructure god.
At 62 today, we look back at a life marked by resilience, excellence, and service that has touched lives beyond measure.
David Umahi was born in the industrious town of Uburu, in Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State. He was raised in a family where honesty, hard work, and education were core values that could never be compromised. Those early lessons shaped his character, preparing him for a lifetime of purposeful leadership—instilling in him the humility to listen and the courage to act.
Umahi’s political journey began as the State Chairman of the then ruling party, Africa’s largest political organization. In that role, he united diverse interests, spearheaded the construction of Nigeria’s largest party secretariat. His brilliance, loyalty, and commitment to the people stood him out early.
Later, as Deputy Governor of Ebonyi State, he immersed himself in governance, learning how to turn policies into visible projects. He became known as the man who would rather visit construction sites than sit in the comfort of an office—an early sign of the practical leader he would become.
When Ebonyi State entrusted him with leadership as Governor for two terms (2015–2023), Umahi rewrote the state’s history.
Under his watch, Ebonyi became a vast construction site and earned a place in Nigeria’s infrastructure map. Among his landmark projects:
– Ebonyi Shopping Mall: A world-class facility that stands as a pride of the Southeast.
-The establishment of the David Umahi University of Health Sciences, Uburu—a world‑class teaching hospital and university complex that has become a magnet for medical students and specialists from across Nigeria. What began as a single visionary idea has now blossomed into an internationally acclaimed medical facility.
– Chuba Okadigbo International Airport, Onueke: A massive project that now connects Ebonyi to the rest of Nigeria and the world, encouraging trade, tourism, and investment.
– The New Government House: A unique infrastructure that defines Ebonyi State and stand her out in the committee of states.
– The St. Margaret Umahi International Market, Abakaliki: One of the largest in West Africa, boosting trade and local economy.
– Exquisite Road Networks: Over 2000 km of urban and rural roads constructed with concrete technology, making Ebonyi roads one of the most durable in the country.
-The massive industrial cluster: a hub where diverse industries and factories converge, driving the industrialization of the state.
– 14 Flyovers that decongested traffic and beautified the state capital.
Street Lighting and Drainage Systems: Bringing safety and aesthetics to night life in Ebonyi.
Under Umahi’s leadership, Ebonyi rose from being considered one of the least developed states to becoming a shining example of what vision and determination can achieve.
Other News
After serving his state diligently, Umahi moved to the Senate in 2023. In few weeks, his colleagues recognized his capacity and elected him as the Deputy Leader of the Nigerian Senate, an honor rarely given to a first-time senator. His voice in the Senate was firm, knowledgeable, and focused on national unity and development.
Today, Umahi is the Minister of Works, and once again, his hands-on approach is evident across the country. He inherited hundreds of road, flyover and bridge projects and has been working day and night to revive them. Among the new/inherited ongoing and completed initiatives under his watch are:
260 palliative road interventions across all zones, Third Mainland Bridge with enhanced CCTV coverage, Apapa–Oworonshoki–Ojota Expressway (Lagos port access), Lagos–Badagry Expressway, Yakassi Road and Hadejia Road (Kano), Artisan Bridge (Enugu), Angola Bridge, Shendam Bridge (Plateau), Jimeta Bridge (Adamawa), Four “Legacy Projects” all speedily progressing as part of Tinubu’s mid‑term milestone, Eko Bridge rehabilitation, Underwater maintenance on Lagos bridges: Third Mainland and Carter Bridge.
Others are 440 road projects nationwide across federal highways, rural roads, and legacy corridors, Enugu–Onitsha, Enugu–Port Harcourt, Enugu–Abakaliki roads, Lokoja–Benin Road: executing in three segments by contractors like BUA and CCC, Benin–Auchi Road (Edo), East–West Road (Ahoada–Kaima), Eleme Junction upgrade with reinforced concrete pavement, Calabar–Itu–Ikot Ekpene Road: reconstruction split into phases, Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Road, Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina–Kaduna corridor, Sokoto–Illela Road, Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi Road, Ilesha–Ibadan–Akure–Benin corridor, Emergency flyover repair at Keffi (Abuja-Kaduna road) after collision, etc.
Umahi is known to visit project sites unannounced, question contractors, and demand quality work. Under him, the Ministry of Works has moved from bureaucracy to performance, from promises to visible results.
His giant strides have earned him countless awards:
-Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) – a national honor.
-Great Grand Commander of Ebonyi Hall of Fame (GGCEHF) – a State honor.
-Best Governor in Infrastructure Development Awards (multiple years).
-Best Governor of the Year (many national and international media platforms)
-Recognition from professional bodies such as the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
-International leadership awards for his innovation in concrete road technology.
Behind the public figure is a devoted husband and father. Umahi often speaks with pride of his wife and children, who have been his anchor and inspiration. Their quiet support has kept him focused on delivering for the people.
Today’s celebration is not just about adding a year. It is about honoring a man whose hands have built roads, schools, hospitals, churches, bridges, airports, and opportunities. It is about celebrating a rare leader who delivers on promises. It is about recognizing a journey from a humble beginning to a national icon of infrastructure.
On this special day, Nigerians everywhere join voices to say: Thank you, Senator Engr. David Nweze Umahi. Thank you for your vision, your courage, and your results.
Happy 62nd Birthday, the Infrastructure god!
May God continue to bless you with wisdom, health, and strength. May your new year bring even greater achievements for our dear country. And may you continue to be a source of pride and inspiration to generations to come.
• Nwaze wrote from Abuja
