Nigeria Boosts Infrastructure With £1.2bn Road Projects Across 13 States.
In a landmark move to enhance Nigeria’s infrastructure, President Bola Tinubu has approved a staggering N787.14 billion (£620 million) and $651.7 million (£510 million) for transformative road projects spanning 13 states. The announcement, made following a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, signals a bold commitment to improving connectivity, trade, and economic growth nationwide.
The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, revealed the details to journalists, outlining a series of new and revised contracts designed to address critical infrastructure needs. Among the flagship projects is the dualization of the Akure-Eta-Ogbese-Iju-Ekiti border to Ikere-Ado-Ekiti road, connecting Ondo and Ekiti states. This 18.438km stretch will see 15km constructed at a revised cost of N19.407 billion, ensuring efficient use of funds.
In the northwest, the ambitious 375km Sokoto-Zamfara-Katsina-Kaduna dual carriageway, inherited from the previous administration, has been restructured. The Sokoto-to-Zamfara section, originally budgeted at N105 billion, will now cover 82.4km, including six bridges, while remaining within the same financial envelope. This pragmatic approach underscores the government’s focus on delivering value for money.
In Borno State, the long-delayed 105km Maiduguri-Monguno road will be tackled in phases, with the first 30km section awarded at N21 billion. Umahi noted that subsequent phases will be presented to the FEC upon completion of the initial segment, ensuring a phased yet steady progression.
New projects also received the green light, including the N25 billion Abakaliki-Afikpo Flyover in Ebonyi State and the N37.045 billion construction of the Ikoga Road and Atan-Alapoti-Ado-Odo Road in Ogun State. In a nod to public-private partnerships, the Enugu-Onitsha road, partially funded by MTN through tax credit financing, has been redesigned to span 77km at a cost of N150 billion.
In the Southwest, the final 96km stretch of the Benin-Shagamu-Ore road, a vital artery for commerce, has been approved at N187 billion. On the international front, the 50km 7th Axial Road, featuring 5km of bridges, secured $651.7 million in funding from China Exim Bank. This strategic corridor will facilitate the evacuation of goods from the Lekki Deep Seaport, including products from the Dangote Refinery and Fertiliser Plant, boosting Nigeria’s trade capacity.
Other approved initiatives include the N30.23 billion Aba-Ikot-Ekpene road, the N176.495 billion shoreline protection at Ebute-Ero and Outer Marina, and the phased refurbishment of the Cham-Numan section of the Gombe-Yola road, with N9.253 billion allocated for the first phase.
Minister Umahi hailed the approvals as a “game-changer” for Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape, emphasizing their potential to create jobs, improve connectivity, and drive economic prosperity. “These projects are not just about roads; they’re about building a brighter future for Nigerians,” he said.
The FEC’s decisive action reflects President Tinubu’s vision of transforming Nigeria into a hub of opportunity and growth. As these projects take shape, they promise to ease travel, bolster trade, and connect communities like never before.
