The Nigerian Government has approved 23 major road infrastructure projects valued at approximately ₦2.078 trillion across 10 states in a significant push to accelerate nationwide connectivity, improve transportation, and stimulate economic development.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the approvals while briefing State House Correspondents after Monday’s Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to the minister, the projects span Adamawa, Taraba, Ebonyi, Kwara, Cross River, Kogi, Lagos, Niger, Oyo, and Plateau states and form part of the administration’s broader commitment to upgrading critical road infrastructure, enhancing the efficiency of the national transport network, and supporting economic growth across the country.
“FEC approved a total of 23 projects in 10 states of the federation,” Umahi said.
According to Umahi, the projects include the construction and rehabilitation of strategic road corridors aimed at improving connectivity, easing the movement of goods and people, and stimulating economic growth.
The minister also said the FEC ratified a presidential approval for a ₦15 billion augmentation of a road project in Gashua, Yobe State, awarded in 2022, citing the increase in the cost of construction materials.
“The project was awarded in 2022… ₦15 billion is being used to review it because of the price increase in construction materials,” he said.
As part of its infrastructure drive, FEC approved ₦15.246 billion for the execution of Phase II of the Yola–Fufore–Gurin Road project, building on the completion of the first phase.
Umahi also announced the council’s approval of the Full Business Case for the operation and maintenance of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway through the modified Swiss challenge procurement framework.
He said President Bola Tinubu had directed the Ministry of Works to commence due process for the reconstruction of deteriorating sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway using concrete pavement technology to improve safety and durability.
“Mr President directed that we should use due process to procure the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to the new concrete technology,” Umahi said.
The minister added that FEC approved the reconstruction of about 400.9 kilometres of federal roads under the tax credit scheme to be executed by the Dangote Group at a cost of ₦1.8325 trillion.
He said the project, which replaces an earlier contract awarded in 2022, is expected to improve safety and accelerate the delivery of critical road infrastructure.
Umahi further disclosed that the first section of the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Highway, covering 118 kilometres and valued at ₦137 billion, has been completed, while the remaining 164-kilometre section is expected to be completed in November.
“The last section… is on the way and will be completed in November,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has approved ₦34.398 billion for the construction of an airstrip in Gboko, Benue State.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, said the contract was awarded to CCECC Nigeria Limited.
“It was awarded in favour of Messrs CCECC Limited in the sum of ₦34.398 billion,” Keyamo said.
According to him, the airstrip will serve as a strategic hub for agricultural activities, strengthen security operations in the area and support humanitarian and emergency medical services.
“It is also a base for humanitarian activities and humanitarian medical services. That’s why we thought it was important to put an airstrip there,” he said.
