Minister of Works, David Umahi
Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a series of major road construction and rehabilitation projects worth more than ₦400 billion as part of the federal government’s drive to improve road infrastructure across the country.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced the approvals while briefing State House correspondents after Thursday’s FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Umahi said he presented 11 memos to the council—nine for the review of existing projects inherited from previous administrations, and two for fresh contract awards.
According to him, one of the key approvals was the award of Lagos–Ibadan Expressway Phase Two, Section Two, valued at ₦43 billion, which will cover the rehabilitation of failed portions and completion of underpasses and ramps.
“We also got approval for the dualisation of Mushin–NNPC Junction–Papa Oshodi Expressway, which was reviewed from ₦11 billion to ₦19 billion due to cost differentials,” the minister stated.
Umahi further disclosed that the council approved the construction of Section Three of the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, spanning 162.97 kilometres from Badagry through Ogun to the Oyo State border, at a rate of ₦3.39 billion per kilometre.
He added that several inherited projects were reviewed for both funding and design updates, including the Ilorin–Omu Aran–Egba road and the old Enugu–Onitsha road.
For the Ilorin–Omu Aran–Egba road, which covers 216 kilometres, Umahi explained that the project had been divided into phases. “Phase One, covering 31 kilometres, will cost ₦43 billion, while the remaining 184 kilometres will follow once more funds become available,” he said.
On the East–West Road, Umahi noted that the design had been modified to enhance traffic flow and strengthen the pavement. The first phase, valued at ₦156 billion, will include dual carriageways and bridges.
The minister also revealed that some state governments had assumed responsibility for certain federal road projects to ease the burden of funding and expedite completion.
Additionally, the Ota–Idi-Iroko road project in Ogun State has been upgraded to a rigid concrete pavement design with an extra bridge, increasing its cost from ₦38 billion to ₦52 billion.
Other approvals include the rehabilitation of Jos–Turunkun–Maraban–Jama’a road in Kaduna State for ₦30 billion, and the reconstruction of Ijebu–Ibu Ete–Egba–Owena road in Ogun and Ondo States at ₦53 billion.
Umahi reaffirmed the Tinubu administration’s commitment to adopting concrete-based road construction for greater durability and long-term cost efficiency.
“Our focus remains delivering durable road infrastructure to support economic growth and ease of movement across the federation,” he added.
NAN
