Tinubu Approves ₦787BN, $651M for Strategic Road Projects in 13 States

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the sum of ₦787.14 billion and $651.7 million for the execution of major road infrastructure projects across 13 states of the federation. The approval, which followed a recent meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), is aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s transport systems, enhancing regional connectivity, and unlocking economic growth corridors.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, who described the initiative as “transformational” and a critical step toward opening up Nigeria’s economic corridors.

“These investments represent a mix of federal funding, PPPs, and concessional loans,” Umahi said. “They are designed to strengthen our national road assets, improve interstate commerce, and catalyze job creation across the federation.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE APPROVED PROJECTS

Ondo State

• Project: Dualization of a 15km section of the Akure–Ekiti Road
• Revised Cost: ₦19.4 billion

Northwest Corridor (Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina–Kaduna)

• Scope: Major realignment and upgrade of 82.4km, including six new bridges
• Cost: ₦105 billion

Borno State

• Project: Construction of a 30km section of the Maiduguri–Monguno Road
• Cost: ₦21 billion

Ebonyi State

• Project: Construction of Abakaliki–Afikpo Flyover
• Cost: ₦25 billion

Ogun State

• Projects: Reconstruction of Ikoga Road and Atan–Alapoti–Ado-Odo Road
• Total Cost: ₦37 billion

Enugu–Onitsha Expressway

• Scope: Redesign and full reconstruction of 77km
• Cost: ₦150 billion
• Funding Model: Public-Private Partnership with MTN Nigeria

Benin–Shagamu–Ore Road

• Project: Final 96km segment of this strategic Southwest route
• Cost: ₦187 billion

Lekki Corridor, Lagos State

• Project: Construction of the 7th Axial Road (50km total, including 5km of bridges)
• Funding: $651.7 million loan from China Exim Bank
• Purpose: To connect Lekki Deep Seaport, Dangote Refinery, and key Free Trade Zones

Abia/Akwa Ibom States

• Project: Reconstruction of Aba–Ikot-Ekpene Road
• Cost: ₦30.2 billion

Adamawa State

• Project: Rehabilitation of Cham–Numan Road
• Cost: ₦9.3 billion

Lagos Shoreline

• Project: Shoreline protection at Ebute-Ero and Outer Marina
• Cost: ₦176.5 billion

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

According to the Minister, the projects were selected not only for their urgency but also for their strategic value in reducing transportation costs, facilitating trade, and enhancing access to agricultural and industrial belts.

“They are designed to strengthen our national road assets, improve interstate commerce, and catalyze job creation across the federation,” Umahi reiterated.

ANTICIPATED IMPACT

• Employment: Thousands of skilled and unskilled job opportunities during and after construction.
• Mobility: Enhanced access to ports, refineries, border towns, and trade zones.
• Economic Integration: Improved linkage between agricultural production zones and markets.
• Public-Private Synergy: Increased confidence from private investors, including MTN and foreign lenders, in Nigeria’s infrastructure development agenda.

This marks one of the most extensive road infrastructure funding approvals under the Tinubu administration, reflecting his government’s commitment to building critical national assets and fostering inclusive economic development.

Stay tuned to The Economic Times Nigeria for follow-up reports on project commencement and implementation timelines across the 13 benefiting states.