Federal Ministry of Works

Oct

2026

LATEST PRESS

UMAHI HIGHLIGHTS IMPACT OF TINUBU’S LEGACY PROJECTS, SAYS INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS ARE TRANSFORMING NIGERIA

The Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, has highlighted the progress and transformative impact of the major infrastructure projects being executed by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Administration, describing them as strategic investments aimed at reshaping Nigeria’s transportation network, strengthening national connectivity and stimulating economic growth.

Umahi said this on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, in Abuja, during a *Press Conference,* where he updated on the Tinubu Administration's *four Legacy Road Projects,* ongoing federal road interventions, completed projects, procurement processes, and the Ministry’s efforts to ensure value for money in the development of infrastructure.

The Minister identified the four legacy projects as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, Calabar-Ebonyi-Abuja Highway (the Trans-Saharan Route/North-South connectivity corridor, and the Dualisation of Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Road.

According to him, the projects were conceived as strategic national infrastructure to connect all six (6) geopolitical zones, facilitate the movement of people and goods, open up economic opportunities, and strengthen Nigeria’s long-term development.

Giving an update on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi disclosed that Section 1, covering 47 kilometres, has been completed, while significant progress has also been recorded on Section 2, covering approximately 55 kilometres.

He explained that pavement works on Section 2 were nearing completion, while major flyovers, overpasses and underpasses were being constructed to address complex traffic, environmental and engineering challenges along the corridor.

The Minister said some parts of the alignment had to be redesigned to accommodate existing and planned rail, road and industrial infrastructure, particularly around the Dangote Refinery and Lekki Deep Seaport axis. He stressed that the objective was to develop an integrated transportation system rather than an isolated road project. On the Ondo State axis, Umahi explained that the alignment was redesigned in some locations because of difficult terrain, deep pits and challenging subsoil conditions. He said the redesign was aimed at ensuring durability, safety and cost-effectiveness, with substantial filling and ground improvement works ongoing in some areas.

The Minister further disclosed that President Tinubu had directed that the continuation of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway be aligned with the existing East-West Road in parts of the Niger Delta area.

He described the decision as a strategic engineering intervention that would address the increasing impact of flooding and climate change on the vital infrastructure. According to him, critical sections of the East-West Road would be raised to accommodate present and anticipated flood levels and ensure the continued functionality of the strategic route.

Umahi also dwelled on the importance of the Construction of the Benin City Bypass and other sections of the littoral corridor in reducing congestion and improving movement across the South-South zone.

On the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, the Minister said the project was designed to establish a major economic corridor linking Ilelah in Sokoto State with Badagry in Lagos State. He noted that various sections of the highway were at different stages of construction, with significant progress recorded across the Sokoto, Kebbi, Oyo, Ogun and Badagry axes, while those of Niger and Kwara States are commencing soon.

Umahi said the strategic importance of the project is beyond road construction, noting that the corridor would unlock agricultural, industrial, tourism and other economic opportunities. He added that the Federal Government was exploring opportunities for complementary investments, including agriculture, housing, tourism and other economic activities along the major infrastructure corridors.

Speaking on the third legacy project, the ancient Trans-Saharan Route, Engr. Umahi explained that it was designed to strengthen connectivity between the coastal axis and the northern parts of the country, thereby facilitating the movement of people, goods and services across the South-South, South East and North Central geopolitical zones.

He disclosed that substantial progress had been recorded on the initial sections, while additional sections had been approved to make the corridor more economically viable and attractive to potential financiers.

On the fourth legacy project, the Minister said the Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri single carriageway is being expanded as a major northern connectivity route. He explained that the scope had been extended to cover an additional spur from Jos to Ibi in Taraba State, with design and procurement processes ongoing.

Responding to questions from journalists on the number of completed projects, the Minister listed several major road and bridge projects completed or ready for commissioning across the country. Among the projects, he mentioned Section I of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Kwanar Danja-Hadejia Road, the Kaduna-Pambeguwa Road, the Lafia Bypass, the Bodo-Bonny Road with Bridges along the Opobo Channel, among many others.

He also listed the completed first lot of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Gombe-Potiskum rehabilitation project, sections of the Azare road linking Jigawa and Bauchi, the five-span Ampoha Bridge, the 23-kilometre, 23-span flyover project at Ekpoma-Benin axis, and a three-span, 75-metre dualised bridge structure.

Umahi further disclosed that several sections of the Lagos-Badagry and Lagos-Ibadan, Lagos-Shagamu-Ore corridors had been completed, while other sections were at advanced stages of completion.

He assured journalists that the Ministry was updating its compendium of completed and ongoing projects. “*We have quite a lot of projects. We have completed projects and we have ongoing projects. We are updating the compendium and it will be made available on the Ministry’s website and circulated to the public,”* he assured.

The Minister reiterated the Federal Ministry of Works' increasing adoption of concrete pavement on major highways, saying the need for greater durability and reduced maintenance costs is driving the policy.

According to him, the Ministry is developing infrastructure that would serve Nigerians for several decades and provide better value for public resources. He reiterated that concrete pavement provides longer durability guarantees, when properly designed and constructed, compared with the recurring maintenance challenges associated with conventional asphalt pavement.

Addressing questions concerning the procurement process for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi explained that the Ministry followed an applicable procurement framework. He said the special procurement approach was necessitated by the unique engineering requirements of constructing a major highway through a difficult coastal terrain.
According to him, the Ministry identified the need for a contractor with a proven track record in executing similar coastal infrastructure and subsequently made a recommendation to the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP). He disclosed that the BPP reviewed the recommendation and gave its clearance, while the Federal Executive Council remained the final approving authority.

Umahi said the Ministry subjected the contractor's bid to scrutiny by comparing proposed rates with prevailing market prices for materials and other inputs. He stressed that both indigenous and expatriate contractors were subjected to the same pricing and evaluation principles.

*“We put everybody on the same platform. We sent the proposals to the Bureau of Public Procurement. They reviewed it and where they felt that the rates went beyond their expected maxima, they called our attention to it, and we reviewed the rates accordingly,”* he explained.

The Minister also disclosed that substantial progress had been recorded on the Outstanding Sections of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway, with all the sections completed except the Jere-Kaduna portion advancing steadily. He revealed that the Ministry is installing solar-powered lighting along the 375-kilometre Expressway to improve night visibility, thereby enhancing safety and security. He also said that the improved condition of the highway, alongside security interventions, was contributing to safer and more efficient movement along the corridor.

The Minister disclosed that the Ministry had commenced an *“Operation Rescue”* on the Benin-Asaba Expressway following challenges associated with the road and its existing concession arrangement. He said the Federal Government had intervened to restore mobility, while plans were being developed for a comprehensive reconstruction of the entire alignment, using continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP). He stressed that Nigerians should not continue to suffer because of unresolved contractual or concession-related issues.

The Minister, particularly, highlighted the Federal Government's increased infrastructure investment in the South East, saying the Tinubu Administration had demonstrated a clear commitment to reintegrating the hitherto neglected zone into the national infrastructure development programme. He said several major road projects had either been approved, commenced, or completed by the present administration.
Umahi, who is from the zone, said it might not have the highest number of federal projects compared with other geopolitical zones, but it was no longer being left behind.

*“We can't continue to live in denial. What we have been crying for is being given. The people of the South East are being fully reintegrated into the national infrastructure development plan,”* he emphasised.

He cited the completion of the Second Niger Bridge, the rehabilitation of the 1st Niger Bridge, ongoing construction of major Bypasses and other federal road projects in the zone as evidence of the administration's commitment.

The Minister maintained that infrastructure development should be viewed from the perspective of national integration rather than regional politics. He stated that the Federal Government's infrastructure agenda was intended to ensure that every part of Nigeria benefited from strategic investments in roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure.

On the Tax-Credit Scheme’s projects inherited from the previous administrations, Umahi explained that the Federal Government had taken proactive measures to address them, especially where private-sector partners were no longer able to sustain previously approved financing arrangements.

He warned contractors, who had received mobilisation or project funds but failed to deploy the funds on the work that the Ministry would take appropriate steps to recover such funds. He stressed that accountability, performance and value for money remained central to the Ministry's project execution strategy.

The Minister also addressed the ongoing intervention on the First Niger Bridge, explaining that measures were being introduced to improve traffic management and protect the structural integrity of the bridge. He said the Ministry was installing appropriate traffic management infrastructure, CCTV cameras and other security measures at its Asaba and Onitsha ends. According to Umahi, the measures were necessary because bridges are designed primarily for dynamic as opposed to static loads, explaining that prolonged traffic gridlock can create additional structural and safety challenges. He said remedial works, repainting and other maintenance activities were also being undertaken to ensure the long-term usage of the structure.

Umahi further explained that the Federal Government's road development strategy included environmental considerations, such as the planting of trees along major highways and the installation of solar-powered street lighting. He said the initiative would help improve visibility and the environment, provide shade, and contribute to the reduction of harmful emissions along major transport corridors.

The Minister also linked infrastructure development to the broader economic reforms of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu Administration, saying improved roads and connectivity would support agricultural production, industrialisation, trade, commerce, tourism and investment. He maintained that the Federal Government's infrastructure investments were part of a broader strategy to move economic growth from the macroeconomic level to the grassroots.

On the financing of the major legacy projects, Umahi assured Nigerians that the Federal Government had put mechanisms in place to ensure that the projects are adequately funded to completion.
He revealed that significant portions of the projects had been funded, while loan-financing arrangements were being implemented for the remaining components.

He noted that the administration was determined not to embark on projects without ensuring that there was a credible financing mechanism for their completion.
*“We don't start what we will not finish. And we will not finish what we have not started,”* he stated.

The Minister reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry to completing inherited projects, while simultaneously delivering new strategic infrastructure under the Tinubu Administration. He said the legacy projects were not merely road construction schemes but long-term investments designed to transform Nigeria's economic landscape, improve connectivity, strengthen national integration and security, and create opportunities for millions of Nigerians.

In his closing remarks, the *Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary (DOOPS), Mohammed Aminu Ahmed, FCNA,* expressed appreciation to the Minister, members of the media, and all participants for attending. He commended the media for its continued partnership with the Ministry in informing Nigerians about government infrastructure projects and encouraged it to continue to provide constructive criticism on the Ministry's activities.

Oct

2017

Fashola Presides Over Signing Of PPA Between Qua Iboe Power Plant And NBET To Deliver 540MW To National Grid •Says milestone event is consistent with FG’s Roadmap on Power, ERGP •Advocates dedication, patriotism in service as building block of national development •QIPP will utilize Nigeria’s gas resources to increase our electricity generation capacity and reduce the cost of power”, says Sanusi The Minister of Power Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola SAN, Thursday in Abuja presided over the signing of a 540 MW Power Purchase Agreement between the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trading Plc (NBET) and Qua Iboe Independent Power Plant saying it was consistent with the roadmap of the government on power which is one of the five principal components of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP). In his remarks at the Ministry’s Conference Room venue of the event, Fashola explained that within the responsibility framework of the ERGP, the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing had drawn a roadmap for providing power for the country which, according to him, “is to start with getting incremental energy until we can stabilize; then we go to uninterrupted power”. The Minister said while the Ministry of Petroleum Resources bears the responsibility for the Energy component of the ERGP, his Ministry was saddled with the responsibility of the production and supply of sufficient energy and power for the people of Nigeria, adding, “a process that potentially adds 540 megawatts to our power store fits very well with our incremental power roadmap”. “Within our responsibility framework, we have drawn a roadmap for providing power for this country which is to start with getting incremental energy until we stabilize; then we go to uninterrupted power. That is our journey”, he said. Advocating dedication and patriotism among Nigerians in the service of the country, Fashola said such qualities should be a motivation for national service in or out of government and with or without title adding that with dedication and patriotism, there was a lot one could do to ultimately deliver one’s own share of the national commonwealth to help build prosperity for the people of Nigeria. The Minister commended developers of the plant-Black Rhino Group, Dangote Group, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), among others - for demonstrating the aforementioned virtues. He declared, “Well, I think all of the Private Sector partners, Mobil, NNPC, the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, have demonstrated clearly that you don’t need to be in government and you don’t need a title to serve”. He told Nigerian investors, “There is a lot you can do with dedication, patriotism to ultimately deliver your own share of the national commonwealth to help build prosperity for our people”. Fashola thanked the Nigerian Bulk Electricity Trader (NBET), for its efforts in bringing all the parties together to make the signing of the PPA possible adding that the ceremony was important not only because of the presence of the partners but also because the media would be able to share with the members of the public what was involved in delivering the project for the good of the people of Nigeria. The Minister declared, “I think this ceremony is important not just because we are here, but because I hope that those who cover this event will be able to share with the members of the public how much effort, how much team work, how much consensus building, how many people are really involved in order to bring ultimately to the doorsteps of Nigerians this very important commodity that is defining for our development and for our goal”. Thanking, particularly, the NBET Managing Director, Dr. Marilyn Amobi, and the Permanent Secretary, Power, in the Ministry, Engr. Louis Edozien, for his “very resolute determination in guiding his team and bringing all of them ultimately to safe harbour”, the Minister, however, expressed regrets that the media would not see the behind-the-scene efforts such as “the long distant calls, the emails in the dead of the night, the heated argument over the telephones and the plodding from office to office”, that preceded the event. He disclosed that at his Ministry’s Monthly Project Review meeting the day before, one of the projects reviewed was the preparation for the construction of the Ikot-Ekpene-Ikot-Abasi Line -which, according to him, the Qua Iboe Plant would depend on adding that the commitment of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC) to deliver on the project was not in doubt. “And we are looking at all the options to get that project back on track”, he said. Urging all the stakeholders to get to work, Fashola declared, “Incidentally and fortuitously, not only will Qua Iboe Power Plant benefit from it, it will also help us release the store of energy that needs to go out to the public from the Ibom Power Plant when all of those lines are finally delivered”. In his remarks earlier, Chairman of Black Rhino Group and Emir of Kano, His Highness Emir Muhammad Sanusi ll, said the project was being jointly developed by his Group, Dangote and the NNPC, following the purchase of the rights to do so from Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited adding that the plant would be one of the lowest cost thermal power plants in Nigeria “due to its efficient combined-cycle design and competitive gas price”. Noting the importance of the project to the President and the Vice President, Emir Sanusi, who recalled the persistent follow-ups with the Power, Works and Housing Minister, other Ministers and Agencies concerned, promised that the partners would do everything possible to deliver it to Nigerians on time and schedule, added that in the next few months the partners would inject about $1.2Billion into the project. He declared, “QIPP will utilize Nigeria’s gas resources to increase our electricity generation capacity and reduce the cost of power”, adding that the plant represented “an example of how the Federal Government of Nigeria and private investors can work together to develop infrastructure that has a real socio-economic impact in our country”. In her remarks also, the Managing Director of NBET, Dr Marilyn Amobi, disclosed that the process took almost two years to get to the signing stage adding that the project started as an alliance between the NNPC and the Joint Venture Partners towards the response to the call by government to pursue investment in the power sector towards the privatization of Nigeria’s Electricity Supply Industry. Commending the Minister’s role in bringing the signing event to fruition, the NBET MD declared, “Hon. Minister, I think it will be very unfair if I fail to acknowledge your doggedness…” she said, adding that he should be applauded for his commitment to the entire process and sector. Also present at the ceremony were the Chairman, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Stuart Symington, NNPC COO, Mr Saidu Mohammed, among other dignitaries and top officials from both the private and public sectors. ...

Oct

2017

Fashola calls for support to end Apapa gridlock, port congestions The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, on Thursday in Lagos called for the collaboration of all stakeholders to tackle traffick gridlock, port congestion and other problems in Apapa and its environs. Fashola made the call at a stakeholders meeting on the ongoing Apapa Wharf Road reconstruction project in Surulere. The stakeholders at the meeting included the three financiers of the project, AG Dangote Construction Company Ltd, Flour Mills of Nigeria Ltd and Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA). Others were National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) and National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), among others. The stakeholders, after extensive deliberations, agreed to resolve issues of logistics and regulation of truckers and port operations. They called on shipping companies to return to the system of using their loading bays and effective call up systems to end port congestions. They also advised AP Molar Multi Terminal (APMT), whose cargo operations take hours to emulate the operations of Port Terminal Multipurpose Ltd (PTML) who have perfected the act of evacuating cargo within minutes. They agreed that emergency interventions should be carried out on the roads around Coconut bus stop area and some other bad portions. They resolved to have another inclusive meeting to carry Shippers, government regulatory agencies and other stakeholders who were absent at the gathering along to evolve permanent solutions, Fashola advised the stakeholders to organise forums where they could proffer solution to the problems and make recommendations to government to speed up solutions on various issues. The minister stressed the need to put other ports in the country to use to reduce pressure on the two major ports in Apapa and promised to work with his transport counterpart, Mr Rotimi Amechi, to involve the rail sector in finding solutions. He called for sacrifice on the part of the various stakeholders as the Yuletide season is approaching to ensure speedy solution to all the problems. “During this period when everybody is sacrificing something, let us sacrifice, it is an exchange, everybody must sacrifice. “This is not about us, it is about everybody,” he told stakeholders. He explained that procurement process for the Oshodi Tin Can Island road was ongoing. Earlier, Fashola had inspected ongoing rehabilitation works at Costain and its environs, which he told journalists was to ensure smooth roads during the festive period. Honorary adviser to the Dangote Group, Mr Joseph Makoju said that Dangote was handling and co-funding the Apapa Wharf Road reconstruction project as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Makoju said that it was painful that the project was being misunderstood by both the public and a section of the media who make negative remarks against the Dangote Group instead of commending it for giving back to society. He explained that the Dangote Group also suffered from the problems of gridlock and other problems caused by port congestions as it affected their businesses and operations as well. He added that the company was ready to tackle all problems that related to the construction raised at the forum and deliver the project within one year. “We give our assurances that we will deliver and we need your understanding,” he said. Mr Ashif Juma, Managing Director AG Dangote Construction Company Ltd, contractors handling the project said that there was massive deployment of men and equipment to site as the rainy season ended adding that by November significant visible progress would be seen in the construction. Juma explained that it was not easy to work on old roads because some unexpected problems usually came up in the midst of the project. He added that the firm was working closely with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing (FMPW$H) on the project and that work tempo would double in November. “We will work two shifts seven days a week. We cannot do this work without your help,” he told the other stakeholders. The NPA on its part promised to begin enforcement of traffic regulations in port areas which include Oshodi, Babs Aminasaun, Costain and Ijora Olopa road areas, NAN reports that Fashola, on June 17 signed the N4.34 billion Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the reconstruction of the four kilometres Apapa Wharf road with AG Dangote Construction Company Ltd and other companies. The project is being funded by AG Dangote Construction Company Ltd, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Flour Mills of Nigeria. Source: NAN ...

Oct

2017

Fashola campaigns for external borrowing to finance Capital Projects The Minister of Power, Works and Housing,Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has thrown his weight behind external borrowing to finance capital projects. The Minister made the disclosure while delivering his address at the 2nd Annual Nigerian Mining Week at the Nigerian Air Force Conference in Abuja on Tuesday 17th October, 2017. Fashola, who recalled that in 2016, the Federal Government committed the sum of N1.2 trillion on capital projects, which is an increase from 15% to 30%, emphasized the need to source for loans to finance the development of critical infrastructure for the Federal Government to fulfill its campaign promises. While commending the leadership of the Mines sector for the amazing milestones recorded within “so short a time”, the Minister noted that very little can be achieved within the Power industry without inputs from the sector. He said, “as we roll out transmission stations, towers, we install transformers, whether it is steel casing for the transformers, whether it is copper winding inside it, all of these stem from the operations of the mining industry”. The Minister of Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, earlier on commended the “Nigerian Mining Week,” as a networking platform and a learning turf for existing businesses. Fayemi noted that a recent World Risk Report published by the Mining Journal indicated that Nigeria has made remarkable improvements in both hard and perceived risk factors. He added that, “the Nigerian mining jurisdiction is now considered to have a better investment risk profile than Russia, China, India and several other leading jurisdictions”. Various stakeholders took their turns to discuss the challenges facing the sector and the need to collaborate amongst themselves towards the sustainable development of the sector. In attendance were the Governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku, the Ohinoyi of Ebiraland, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim, Senior Partner, PriceWaterhouse Coopers (PWC), Uyi Akpata, representative of the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufa’I, Mrs. Amina Sijuade, amongst others. ...