Tinubu’s Infrastructure Drive: N787bn, $651m Approved to Rebuild Nigeria’s Roads, Revive Regional Economies
By HeadlineNews.News Special Investigations Desk
In what may be the most ambitious push in recent years to overhaul Nigeria’s ailing road network, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved N787.14 billion and $651.7 million for critical highway and bridge projects across 13 states, covering strategic economic corridors, security-prone zones, and high-traffic industrial routes.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, following the latest Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
“These projects are not just about roads. They are about access, commerce, security, and national integration,” said Umahi. “Mr. President is clear — infrastructure must deliver economic value to Nigerians.”
Key Project Highlights
Ondo-Ekiti: 15km dualisation of the Akure-Ekiti road revised upward to N19.4 billion.
Sokoto-Zamfara-Katsina-Kaduna corridor: Originally planned as a 375km stretch, re-scoped to 82.4km with six new bridges, still at N105 billion.
Borno State: 30km of the strategic Maiduguri-Monguno road awarded for N21 billion — a security-priority route, with future phases anticipated.
Ebonyi State: Approval of N25 billion for the Abakaliki-Afikpo Flyover, a central node in the Southeast’s inter-town mobility plan.
Ogun State: The Ikoga and Atan-Alapoti-Ado-Odo roads earmarked for N37 billion, opening up access to underserved communities.
Enugu-Onitsha Expressway: A 77km stretch reimagined and redesigned at N150 billion, with partial funding by MTN Nigeria, marking a milestone in PPP innovation.
Southwest (Benin–Shagamu–Ore road): Final 96km segment of the key expressway awarded at N187 billion, crucial for Southwest-Southsouth traffic.
Lekki Industrial Corridor: The 7th Axial Road project (50km, with 5km of bridges) secured $651.7 million from China Exim Bank, targeting industrial traffic to the Lekki Deep Seaport and Dangote Refinery.
Aba-Ikot Ekpene Road: Contracted at N30.2 billion, key to East-West economic linkage.
Ebute-Ero and Outer Marina (Lagos): Shoreline protection project approved for N176.5 billion, safeguarding urban waterfront infrastructure.
Cham-Numan Road (Adamawa State): Phase 1 approved at N9.3 billion, a critical North-East economic and security route.
A Nation Long Plagued by Poor Roads
According to the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), only 25% of Nigeria’s federal roads are currently in good condition. The economic cost of bad roads is staggering — estimated at N1 trillion annually, due to vehicle damage, logistics delays, and accidents. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) attributes over 5,000 road deaths yearly to infrastructure decay.
“You cannot talk of economic growth without mobility,” said Prof. Joseph Mbah, a transportation economist at UNN. “Roads are the arteries of a nation. Nigeria’s were clogged.”
Historical Context: A Long Road to Recovery
Nigeria’s federal road system was largely built in the 1970s and 1980s, during the oil boom era. However, years of underfunding, contract corruption, and poor maintenance have left most in disrepair.
Under President Obasanjo (1999–2007), only 13,000km of roads were rehabilitated out of over 195,000km nationally. Subsequent administrations made piecemeal progress.
The Tinubu administration’s current outlay — combining state funding, private sector participation, and international loans — marks a significant shift in both scale and strategy.
Strategic Economic Impact
Job Creation: The Ministry of Works estimates over 180,000 direct and indirect jobs will be created during construction.
Trade Efficiency: The Lekki Corridor Project alone is projected to reduce delivery time from port to inland markets by 40%, spurring industrial output.
Security Support: Improved roads in Borno, Adamawa, and Sokoto are expected to enhance military logistics and deter insurgent movement.
“Infrastructure is not just a development issue—it’s a security weapon,” noted retired Gen. Yakubu Shagaya.
Global Backing and PPP Leverage
The involvement of China Exim Bank, as well as MTN Nigeria, showcases growing international confidence in Nigeria’s infrastructure plans.
“Investors follow concrete,” said Dr. G. Fraser, MFR, a development strategist. “Where you see roads and access, you see confidence, trade, and jobs. This is a good signal.”
International lenders are also increasingly looking at climate-resilient projects. The Lekki corridor, for instance, is designed with climate adaptation structures, including flood-resistant bridges and solar-powered toll stations.
Implementation, the Real Test
Despite the huge outlay, experts caution that Nigeria’s historic challenge has never been funding — but execution and corruption.
“We’ve seen funds approved before. But if contractors inflate, delay, or abandon projects, the economy suffers,” said Olumide Adedeji of BudgIT.
The government insists that this time, project monitoring will be stricter. The Ministry of Works has partnered with EFCC, ICPC, and Civil Society Groups for independent verification.
Conclusion: Building More Than Roads
The current projects go beyond asphalt and concrete. They are a symbol of political will and a foundation for national transformation. If delivered on time, to spec, and without the ghost of corruption, President Tinubu’s road revolution could become a cornerstone of his legacy.
“This is not a photo-op program,” Umahi concluded. “This is real, measurable, and monitored. It’s Renewed Hope on the ground.”
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report
Editor’s Note: Follow our #RoadsWatchNigeria series for monthly progress reports, citizen feedback, and satellite updates on each project.
