The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved over N3.6 trillion for the construction and rehabilitation of major highway projects across the country, in what has been described as a bold move to improve national infrastructure, connectivity, and economic development.
Briefing journalists after the FEC meeting on Thursday in Abuja, Minister of Works, David Umahi, outlined the scope and scale of the approvals, highlighting two major projects: the Sokoto–Badagry Highway and the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway.
According to Umahi, the council approved funding for a second carriageway of 258 kilometres in Kebbi State, at a contract sum of N961 billion. This is in addition to the earlier approval in August 2024 for a single carriageway along the same route, awarded for N947 billion. Together, these two contracts cover 516 kilometres of highway and represent a combined investment of nearly N2 trillion.
In Sokoto State, another 120 kilometres of road construction was approved for N456 billion, bringing the total allocation for the Sokoto–Badagry corridor to approximately N2 trillion.
Turning to the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi announced new approvals for Sections 4A and 4B, covering 80.35 kilometres across Ogun and Ondo States. This six-lane highway will include substantial engineering work such as earthworks, soil replacement, and elevation to mitigate the challenges of the swampy terrain. The total cost of these sections is N1.65 trillion.
“The Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway continues from where Section 2 ends at Lekki, cutting across Ogun and reaching the border of Ondo State,” Umahi explained. “It’s a massive project designed to open up economic corridors in the South-West and South-South.”
Another significant project discussed was the Trans-Sahara Highway, which connects Ebonyi to the Benue border. Originally planned as a 118-kilometre stretch, the project has been revised to 221.64 kilometres due to poor soil conditions. Two additional bridges have also been incorporated, raising the total contract value from N361 billion to N445.851 billion.
The Minister also highlighted revisions to other road projects across the country:
- The Biu–Numan Road in Borno and Adamawa states, initially awarded in 2020 for 45 kilometres at N15.43 billion, has now been revised to N61.763 billion due to inflation and cost pressures.
- The Maraba–Keffi dual carriageway, a 43.6-kilometre stretch originally approved in May 2023, will now use concrete pavement. With N76 billion available from NNPC, the government will complete one carriageway and two kilometres of the second while maintaining the rest.
- On the Ikorodu–Shagamu Road, which is about 25 per cent complete, the FEC approved an additional N11.423 billion to expedite completion.
- In Yobe State, the Kashamu–Amshi–Guru–Gurus Road has been adjusted to include a binder course, a vehicle bridge, and concrete protection for swampy terrain, raising the cost from N14.526 billion to N23.46 billion.
- In Ekiti State, the Ado Ekiti–Afe Babalola University Road, originally designed as a 40.72-kilometre project, has been scaled down to 14.4 kilometres due to budget constraints, now costing N9.32 billion.
These infrastructure investments, according to the Ministry of Works, are critical to unlocking economic opportunities, facilitating trade, improving logistics, and enhancing national unity through improved road connectivity.
With rising inflation, fluctuating exchange rates, and the pressures of post-subsidy economic adjustments, Umahi emphasised that the government remains committed to prioritising road development and adopting new technologies, including the use of concrete pavement, to ensure long-term durability.
