The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved about ₦2.078 trillion for road infrastructure across 10 states, in what the government describes as part of its drive to modernise the nation’s transport network.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this on Monday while briefing State House Correspondents after the Council meeting, which was chaired by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
According to the Minister, the Council approved 23 major road projects spanning Adamawa, Taraba, Ebonyi, Kwara, Cross River, Kogi, Lagos, Niger, Oyo and Plateau states.
Umahi said the programme is aimed at the construction and rehabilitation of strategic corridors to boost connectivity across the affected regions.
Among the approvals, he said, the Council ratified a presidential approval to augment a road contract first awarded in 2022 in Gashua, Yobe State. The contract sum was raised by ₦15 billion, a review the Minister attributed to higher construction material costs.
The Council also approved ₦15.246 billion for Phase II of the Yola–Fufore–Gurin Road, a project that follows the completion of its first phase.
On the busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, Umahi said the Council approved the Full Business Case for the road’s operation and maintenance under a modified Swiss Challenge procurement arrangement.
The Minister added that President Tinubu directed the ministry to proceed with procurement for the reconstruction of deteriorating sections of the expressway, using concrete pavement technology to enhance safety and longevity.
In one of the largest components of the package, the Council approved the reconstruction of about 400.9 kilometres of federal roads under a tax credit arrangement.
The works are to be executed by the Dangote Group at a cost of ₦1.8325 trillion.
According to Umahi, the arrangement replaced an earlier contract awarded in 2022 and is expected to accelerate the delivery of key road infrastructure nationwide.
The Minister also gave an update on the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano highway, one of the country’s most strategic corridors. He said the first 118-kilometre section, valued at ₦137 billion, has been completed.
The remaining 164 kilometres of that highway, he added, are due for completion in November.
