The Nigerian government has finalized agreements and memoranda of understanding for eight significant road developments spread across various regions of the country. This announcement marks another step forward in the administration’s infrastructure modernization agenda.
At a signing event held at the Ministry of Works headquarters in Abuja, officials, contractors, and stakeholders gathered to witness the milestone. Minister of Works David Umahi highlighted that these initiatives are part of President Bola Tinubu’s broader strategy to enhance road networks and stimulate economic growth.
Umahi noted that the initial 123-kilometer single carriageway section of the Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Super Highway, connecting Calabar through Ebonyi State to the Benue border, has already been secured. The newly signed segment extends 173 kilometers through Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa states, terminating at the Oweto Bridge.
He further revealed plans to procure a second carriageway spanning approximately 300 kilometers from Ndibe Beach to Oweto in Nasarawa State. This corridor is expected to drastically cut travel time between the South-East and Abuja, boosting regional commerce.
Umahi expressed confidence that the South-East region would show appreciation for these developments. He remarked that previous administrations rarely undertook federal projects in the area, but this administration is changing that narrative. He emphasized that the project would enable travel from any part of the South-East to Abuja within three to four hours, enhancing business activities.
The procurement process for the project involved five competing firms, with INFOUEST emerging as the successful bidder. A similar transparent approach was applied to the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway project.
Addressing the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi noted that initial skepticism has transformed into national pride. He stated that what some once doubted has become a source of admiration for the country. By November, motorists will be able to travel from Ahmadu Bello Way in Lagos through Sections One and Two, and part of Section Four, to Ondo State on completed stretches.
Sections 3A and 3B in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states are underway, while Section Five, covering 165.6 kilometers, has also started. Umahi described the highway as more than a road—it’s a long-term national investment built to last for decades with minimal upkeep.
HITEC Construction Company received praise for its speed and dedication, reportedly achieving up to one kilometer of road construction daily. The project costs include extensive drainage, reinforced pavement, and concrete works, with an average cost of N7.5 billion per kilometer for a standard carriageway.
Investor interest is already high, with several parties seeking to toll completed sections to recoup funds before tolling begins. Umahi highlighted that only a visionary like President Tinubu could undertake such transformative projects.
On the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, Section IV covering the Oyo axis spans 360 kilometers. Umahi stressed that these legacy projects are spread across all six geopolitical zones, reflecting the president’s national focus.
Progress on the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Road was also noted. President Tinubu insisted on concrete pavement for durability, aiming for a century-long lifespan. Funding for these projects will comprise 30 percent counterpart funding from the government and 70 percent from loans, with tolling and strategic land acquisition ensuring returns.
The signed projects include: Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Super Highway Section II (Ebonyi State Border–Benue–Kogi–Nasarawa); Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway Section IV (Oyo State); Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway Section V (Akwa Ibom State); dualisation of Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Road Section II (Gombe–Biu); reconstruction of Mando–Birnin Gwari Road in Kaduna by J. Patel and Sons; dualisation of Ibadan–Ijebu Ode Road in Oyo/Ogun by JRB Construction; construction of Osogbo–Ikirun–Akoda Road in Osun by Truecrete Solutions; and construction of Osogbo–Iwo–Ibadan Road in Osun/Oyo by Peculiar Ultimate Concerns.
Permanent Secretary Rafiu Olarinre Adeladan described the ceremony as the culmination of procurement and the start of project implementation. Contractor representative Dany Abboud of HITEC assured timely delivery and quality, pledging to complete projects within 36 months and exceed the standards set on Coastal Highway Section One.