Federal Ministry of Works

Federal Ministry of Works (FMW)

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Welcome To Federal Ministry Of Works.

Minister Federal Ministry Of Works Engr. David Umahi.

Road Construction Inspection Tour.

Road Inspection.

Road Construction Inspection Tour.

Road Inspection.

Road Construction Inspection Tour.

Oct

2025

LATEST PRESS

Umahi Inspects Mararaba–Keffi Carriageway, Keffi Flyover Project, Visits Keffi-Nasarawan Toto–Abaji Road

The Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. (Engr.) David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE led a high-powered delegation from the Ministry on an inspection tour of key road projects in Nasarawa State. At the site of the Reconstruction and Expansion of Mararraba-Keffi Dual Carriageway, the Minister expressed serious concerns about the pace of work and lack of adherence to engineering specifications. He informed the contractor, China Harbour Engineering Company that after several warnings, the Ministry is left with no choice but to revoke the contract for the Abuja-bound carriageway. He further directed that it should be awarded to a local contractor with a proven track record, who will be mobilised to complete the concrete shoulders and other pending works. The slow pace of construction had been causing considerable hardship for road users and residents along the corridor.

The Minister was accompanied by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq, Directors and other staff of the Ministry, representatives of the construction firms handling the various projects, and was met at the Keffi Flyover by the Governor of Nasarawa State, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, Sen. Ahmed Wadata, officials of the State Government, and other stakeholders.

Engr. Umahi emphasised that the Federal Government is committed to delivering high-quality and durable road infrastructure, meeting global engineering standards and capable of serving Nigerians for decades. “We cannot continue to tolerate uncooperative contractors, who delay projects and ignore directives,” he declares.

The Minister reiterated his faith in Nigerian Engineers and contractors, guaranteeing that they would deliver quality jobs comparable to international standards, when given the opportunity. He also warned that any contractor who fails to meet deadlines or flouts directives would have their contracts terminated. Engr. Umahi cautioned that “If by the 15th of December, you do not finish the scope of work, I will terminate the whole contract. We must begin to trust our local contractors. This is about discipline, quality, and integrity,” he stressed.

He went further to say that “when we came on board, we reviewed the method statement for this project because we could not accept a design that would destroy an already consolidated subgrade,” Umahi explained. “We changed the design to include 20 cm of concrete on the inner shoulder and reinforced the stone base with 3.5% cement content. The sections already completed are excellent and will last for a minimum of 50 years.”

The Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq, also admonished contractors to show greater seriousness and commitment to the timely completion of projects. He restated that the present administration is determined to deliver quality infrastructure that will stand the test of time, as well as improve the quality of life of Nigerians.

Goronyo added that we must all take our responsibilities seriously. “Contractors must adhere strictly to specifications and timelines, as the Ministry will not compromise on quality and accountability,” the Minister disclosed.

The Director, Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Engr. Clement Ogbuagu reported that about 50% of the project has been completed and assured that the first phase will be delivered by December 15, 2025.

At the site of the Emergency Repairs of the Damaged Keffi Flyover, the Minister, accompanied by the Nasarawa State Governor, said that “two months ago, a tragic accident damaged part of this flyover, leading to loss of lives. We reported it to Mr. President, who immediately approved funds for its repairs.”
“Today, we can see the quality of work being done. They are recasting the entire slab, not just the affected part at a very conservative cost of ₦1.5 billion,” he added.

On the soon-to-be-awarded rescoped Keffi-Nasarawan Toto-Abaji Road, the Minister informed the Governor and his entourage that the original contract sum of ₦73 billion covered an initial 43.65 km stretch. However, the initial scope has now been reviewed and extended to 137 km, reaching Abaji town in the FCT, following the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, under a special funding arrangement.

In his remarks, His Excellency, Engr. Abdullahi Sule commended President Tinubu and the Minister of Works for their interventions in the State, especially the Keffi Flyover, which was recently damaged by an overloaded truck.
The Governor further noted that the Keffi–Nasarawan Toto-Abaji road is crucial to the economic development of both Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory, as it serves as a major gateway for goods, services, and people. It also serves the biggest Lithium Factory in Africa, recently commissioned by Mr. President.

Senator Wadada, representing Nasarawa West and other stakeholders commended the Minister for his dedication, describing him as an “uncommon performer,” whose hands-on approach reflects the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu. They also applauded the President for being “a leader for all.”

Engr. Umahi reaffirmed that all ongoing Federal projects will now adopt the revised engineering method statement, which emphasises, complete milling of old pavement, reinforcement of subgrade with stone base and cement, 20 cm concrete shoulders, and proper drainage and slope control. He also stressed that these specifications are designed to guarantee a minimum lifespan of 50 years for the reconstructed roads.

“No contractor, no matter how connected, will be allowed to compromise on quality. Mr. President has done his part by approving funding; it is now our duty to ensure delivery,” the Minister emphasised.

Mohammed A. Ahmed,
Director, Press and Public Relations.
12th October 2025.

Jun

2024

HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WORKS, SEN UMAHI CELEBRATES EID AL-KABIR WITH THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY IN EBONYI STATE, ENJOINS ALL NIGERIANS TO IMBIBE THE VIRTUES OF SACRIFICE,CHARITY, HARMONIOUS CO-EXISTENCE WHICH ARE THE LESSONS OF EID AL-ADHA The Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON has urged Nigerians to reflect on the religious significance of Eid al- Kabir and the reinforcing values of sacrifice, gratitude, charity and compassion, devotion and unity among one another, and quest for national harmony which are the hallmarks of the Festival of Sacrifice celebrated by the Muslim faithfuls all over the world. He gave this advice when the Muslim community in Ebonyi State and other stakeholders came to solidarize with him in his residence in Abakaliki on this important holiday in the Islamic calendar. The Honourable Minister commended the sense of unity and love among the Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba communities who are Muslim faithfuls in Ebonyi State and charged them to continue to support and pray for the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, who is working magnificently to return the country to the part of honour and glory. He further urged them to continue to support the administration of the Governor of their host State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Bldr. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, FNIOB GGCEHF, who has remained inclusive and steadfast in the discharge of his People's Charter of Needs. "President Tinubu is trying very much to help this country. We know that things are hard. And if he doesn't do what he's doing, in the future, we may not have a country called Nigeria. So, the much his disciples can help, they try to help. That's why I rushed home, so that I will join my government, to assist you people, to buy food, to celebrate. And so, I want you to pray for Mr. President and pray for our Governor. In Ebonyi State, there's no discrimination, whether Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba or other tribes. We are one people." Similarly, the Honourable Minister celebrated with former State Executive Council members and other stakeholders who visited to bid him welcome to the State on the Salah holiday. He charged them to continue to be very loyal, responsive, and supportive to the administration of Mr. President and that of the Governor of Ebonyi State, noting that the APC administration at the Federal and State levels is working concertedly and inclusively to meet the yearnings of Nigerians. "Let's try to know that we are a community of one people. Let's try to know that North, South, Central is just for the convenience of our political administration. Let's be united, for if you are segregated, you are not helping the government." He commended the State Government and the stakeholders for the peace in the State. "I want to commend you people and commend the government again for the peace that is in the State. And I want you to continue to support and pray for him." In his response, the spokesman to the Muslim faithfuls, Alhaji Idris Datti Suleiman thanked the Honourable Minister of Works for his usual sense of benevolence to the Muslim community. He particularly thanked him for the huge Salah gifts and donations he made to them, including the women, youths, and others whom they represented in the visit. He assured the Honourable Minister of the unwavering support and solidarity of the Muslim community in Ebonyi State to the administration of Mr. President and that of their host Govermor. "Permit me to say the truth. I was born and brought up in Ebonyi. I grew up here. We have so many Honourable Ministers since the creation of Ebonyi State to date. No one has shown such a kind gesture as you, the Honourable Minister of Works. Not any Minister has ever invited the Muslim faithfuls in his house to celebrate a Muslim festival. In fact, your own is quite unique because you invited us at a time that every Nigerian needed help. Thank you sir" ...

Jun

2024

HONOURABLE MINISTER OF WORKS INSISTS NIGERIAN ROADS MUST LEAD THE ECONOMIC REVOLUTION AGENDA OF PRESIDENT ASIWAJU BOLA AHMED TINUBU GCFR AS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CONSTRUCTS A MEGA TWIN FLYOVER TO FREE YEARS OF HEAVY CONGESTION AT EMENE IN ENUGU STATE, TO GIVE IMPETUS TO COMPETITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN SOUTH-EAST. In his passion to work day and night, workdays and public holidays to meet the desire of Nigerians in having an enduring network of road infrastructure that will stimulate Nigeria's economy, the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency, Sen Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON made it today, Sunday, 16/06/2024 to Enugu State to inspect some Federal Government's projects in the State. This is coming after his marathon inspection visits to some Federal Government's projects in Lagos State, including the ongoing Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway yesterday, where he announced the decision of the Federal Government to reduce the entire corridor of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, from phase two, section two of the coastal route to effective pavement of 55km including the train tracks. Upon arriving Enugu State, the Honourable Minister visited the ongoing reconstruction of the collapsed New Artisan bridge at Enugu-PH Expressway, Enugu capital city. He moved to inspect the ongoing construction of a 23-span mega twin flyover bridge at Emene in Enugu State. This flyover bridge is described as the best thing that never happened to the people of Enugu and neighbouring States until the coming on board of the Renewed Hope administration of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, who saw the need to decongest the traffic ridden axis of Enugu city to give way to stronger socio-economic competitiveness within the region. It would be recalled that the road which links to many suburbs within the State and the neighbouring States has for many years been a nightmare for vehicles, some of which ply the route through Benue State to far parts of Northern Nigeria and some others to parts of South-South through Cross River State. The administration of Mr. President thought it expedient, in keeping with his agenda of robust economic revolution for a sustainable future of our country, to construct for Enugu State a mega twin flyover that will beat the elegance and utility of all flyovers ever built in South-East. This flyover, when completed, will change the face of Enugu State, attract trade and investment to the State, reduce accident and insecurity, improve safety and increase patronage to the economic facilities, including Airports in Enugu and Ebonyi States, and that of other neighbouring States. Mr. President means well for Nigeria and is determined to revolutionize the economy through road infrastructure development. The Honourable Minister has this as a task that must be accomplished. He knows the job. His passion to deliver is unequalled. ...

Jun

2024

FEDERAL MINSTRY OF WORKS ADOPTS MORE WORKEABLE MEASURES TO END DELAYS OF CONTRACTORS IN PROJECT DELIVERY, EXPRESSES COMMITMENT TO CREATIVITY, INNOVATIONS AND THINKING OUT OF THE BOX TO MEET THE ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS OF NIGERIANS As part of strategic infrastructure development masterplan of the Renewed Hope administration of His Excellency President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, the Federal Government has adopted workeable measures to end the old order of unnecessary delays in the execution of road infrastructure projects by contractors and has taken steps to rejig the monstrous contract price variation clause which has been a major clog in the wheel of progress of project execution over the years. This was contained in the briefing of the Honourable Minister of Works, His Excellency Sen. Engr. Nweze David Umahi CON, during a meeting with contractors handling Federal Government's projects, held at the Ministry's Headquarters, Mabushi-Abuja on 10th June 2024. The Honourable Minister expressed the urgency of thinking realistically, creatively, innovatively, and thinking out of the square to overcome the funding challenges that face road infrastructure development in Nigeria. He narrated, " When the Renewed Hope administration came on board on 29th May 2023, Mr. President inherited over 2600 ongoing projects from the past administration amounting to over N15 trillion, out of which only about N2 trillion was certified and paid. And so we now have ongoing projects of N13 trillion, including budgetary projects, NNPCL, SUKUK, Presidential Initiative Development Projects, other Tax Credit Scheme Projects of NLNG, MTN, Dangote, BUA, Mainstream and projects under EPC +F, PPP" He stated that the aftermaths of fuel subsidy and the forex forces affected drastically the contract cost elements and pricing of which Variation on Price( VOP) could not provide a remedy especially for jobs awarded so many years ago, and where VOP on contracts was sometimes hitting 500%. He further stated that in looking for a solution, the Ministry sought for and got Mr. President's approval to give an envelope in the 2024 budgetary provision to keep all the inherited projects alive, believing that more funding of such projects could come by thinking outside the box. The new projects under the 2024 projects, including the constituency projects of the National Assembly, also have poor budgetary allocations. In tackling responsibly the challenges of funding, price variation, and delays in projects delivery, the Honourable Minister introduced responsive approaches which were adopted as the Ministry's measures to overcome the challenges of road infrastructure development in Nigeria. Such measures include but are not limited to reviewing the VOP clause to ensure workability in line with the economic realities, making it a policy that all contractors handling two carriageway projects (with the exemption of the 3 legacy projects) must first complete one side of the two carriageways and thereafter continue with the second part subject to availability of fund, advancement of funds after award of contract is subject to conditions contained in the bid document, going forward. Other measures adopted were that contractors must have a timeline for project delivery, and every contractor shall have a duty to maintain the road under construction until the entire project is completed and delivered. A deadline shall be given for all ongoing projects, and with time, all projects that have no funding shall be stood down, but projects will be selected Zone by zone or State by State for funding. In applying these measures, he emphasized that all contractors will be treated equally. "One thing that is our policy is that no contractor in the Ministry of Works will be treated differently. Whether you're an indigenous contractor or you're a foreign contractor, insofar as you can turn cement to the right grade and place it rightly. You're a good contractor; we check, and it's good." The Honourable Minister noted the various projects completed by contractors and other major ones to be ready for commissioning from July, 2024 and directed the Directors in charge of each Geo-Political Zone to officially and publicly commission the various projects completed in their respective Zones. He further directed that committees made up of the Ministry's Engineers and the Media correspondents be set up to pay inspection visits to the respective zones to assess the level of project performance in all the federal government projects being handled by the Federal Ministry of Works under the Renewed Hope administration. ...

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Jul

2024

OTHER NEWS

Jan

2022

FASHOLA CONDOLES WITH ADENIRAN OGUNSANYA FAMILY OVER DEATH OF FORMER SSG

The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN has condoled with the Adeniran Ogunsanya Family, the Government and people of Lagos State over the passage of the former Secretary to the State Government, Princess Adenrele Adeniran Ogunsanya.

Expressing deep shock and sadness over the death of Princess Adeniran Ogunsanya, who served as Secretary to the State Government from 2007 to 2011 during his first tenure as Governor of Lagos State, Fashola said that her passing was a huge loss not only to the historic town of Ikorodu and Lagos State but to the country in general.

In a Press Release signed by the Special Adviser on Communications to the Hon. Minister, Fashola noted that Princess Adenrele Adeniran-Ogunsanya’s single minded devotion to public service, politics of inclusion and women advocacy as well as her humaneness would be sorely missed by all.

A scion of the famous Adeniran-Ogunsanya family whose patriarch served meritoriously as Minister in the First Republic, Fashola said that Princess Adeniran-Ogunsanya brought her rich experience to bear while serving as the Secretary to the State Government in the Class of 2007-2011 in the Lagos State Cabinet which he had the privilege to lead.

While praying that Almighty God will grant the immediate family members of the deceased the fortitude to bear the sad loss, Fashola implored them to take solace in the fact that Princess Adeniran-Ogunsanya throughout her earthly sojourn bore aloft and admirably without stain the banner of committed public service for which the family had always been known. He also prayed that Almighty God grants her soul peaceful repose.

SPEECHES

Mar

2021

The Highway Development Management Initiative Ministerial Notice Delivered By H.E Babatunde Raji Fashola, San At The Conference Hall Of The Ministry Of Works And Housing On Tuesday, 22nd March 2021

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our Permanent Secretary has already welcomed you all to this event, the official ministerial notice of the commencement of the Highway Development Management Initiative (HDMI).

What remains for me to do is to get on with the business of issuing the notice for the HDMI to commence the procurement process; after a few preliminary remarks.

As you all know, one of the early initiatives of the Buhari administration was to improve the ease of doing business, and it is no secret that infrastructure was going to be an important driver of this initiative.

Since 2015, the administration has made no pretence about its commitment to improve the stock of infrastructure both in qualitative and quantitative terms in many sectors from roads and bridges, to rail, airports and seaports to mention a few.

Currently the government is executing over 700 different contracts which aggregates to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of over 13,000 km of roads and bridges across all the 36 states including the Federal Capital Territory.

As a result of the size of the undertaking, there is an increasing and unsatisfied demand for funding to finance these projects to completion and to maintain them.

There is also the need to finance other complementary services like weigh bridges, rest houses, towing vehicles and road furniture which seem better suited for the commercial initiative of the private sector.

In the interim, government is constrained to borrow, offer tax credit, increase her revenue mobilization capacities in order to sustain this massive infrastructure renaissance.

This is the background to the HDMI which is another effort to mobilize private capacity, resources, and entrepreneurship into the Nigerian highway sector; and hopefully convert roads from just social assets into assets of commercial opportunities and enterprise.

The HDMI is made up of 2 categories namely the Value-added Concessions (VAC) and the Unbundled Assets Approvals (UAA).

The UAA provides opportunity for small businesses to take advantage of the commercial opportunities that are available along the ROW while under the VAC the road pavement and entire right of way is concessioned for development and management by the concessionaire .

The VAC will be rolled out in phases, and this First Phase involves 12 roads namely:

1. BENIN – ASABA (125KM);

2. ABUJA – LOKOJA (193KM);

3. KANO – KATSINA (150KM);

4. ONITSHA – OWERRI – ABA (161KM);

5. SHAGAMU – BENIN (258KM);

6. ABUJA – KEFFI – AKWANGA (122KM);

7. KANO – MAIDUGURI (lot 1 Kano-Shuari 100KM ;

lot 2 Potiskum-Damaturu 96.24KM )

8. LOKOJA – BENIN (270KM);

9. ENUGU – PORT HARCOURT (200KM);

10. ILORIN – JEBBA (129KM);

11. LAGOS – OTA – ABEOKUTA (80KM);

12. LAGOS – BADAGRY (79KM)

These 12 roads were carefully chosen to ensure that each of the 6 (SIX) geo political zones are covered.

They aggregate in total to 1963.24 km which is 5.6% of the 35,000 km Federal road network.

The initial capital investments that we foresee is something in the order of NGN 1,134,690,048,000.76 and the employment potentials are an estimated 50,000+ direct jobs and 200,000+ indirect jobs.

The process started on the 17th June 2020 with legislative consultation to get parliamentary support and endorsement which I believe was successful and we are assured that if there is need for legislative support, the response will be reasonably swift.

It was followed by a Stakeholder consultation (webinar) which held on the 25th June, 2020 with Over 1,173 participants including critical stakeholders such as legislative representatives, representatives from the executive, prospective concessionaires, road users, media and industry experts; a market sounding session was also held on the 31st August, 2020 with 162 participants.

In the course of this journey, we have struck strategic partnerships with some high-profile brands who have offered their services in various aspects of the project development such as KPMG, UK NIAF, Lagos Business School etc.

We look forward to further exploring and strengthening these partnerships and the clear terms of the relationships will be notified to the public in due course as they are important to the success that we expect.

As published, not only has the right of way of the 12 roads been fully gazetted, the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) , as a regulatory body for concessions of this nature, has issued the Certificate of Compliance for the Outline Business Case that is necessary to commence the process.

On the 3rd of March 2021, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), the highest executive decision-making organ of the Nigerian Federal Government was notified about the commencement of the procurement process.

In order to ensure competitiveness and to guarantee transparency, a procurement portal has been developed to serve as the interface with the public and manage the HDMI from Procurement to Implementation.

The portal will provide:

a. An interface that will provide the public all the information they need to know about the Initiative. It will give access to relevant documents, news updates, videos and so on;

b. E-procurement – The management of the PPP procurement process of the VAC and the process of approvals and permits under the UAA;

c. Vendor Market Place – This has specifically been included to promote local businesses and vendor partnerships with prospective concessionaires.

Therefore, let me say to all those who have been writing letters of inquiry, making offers of interest on the HDMI, offering to provide services like tolling, weigh bridge, rest houses and so on; we are sorry we cannot respond to those letters in order to maintain the integrity of this process and to keep the playing field level.

To all of you and to those who have not written or called, the day is now upon us, the venue is fixed and I have the pleasure to announce that the HDMI portal https://hdmi.worksandhousing.gov.ng/) will open on Monday the 29th March, 2021.

The portal will be open for all HDMI related functions as earlier stated and most importantly the RFQ application for the VAC which will be officially advertised on the same day.

Please visit the portal and I wish you all a very interactive and rewarding experience.

Let me repeat that all our transactions will be done through this portal and we will not entertain any personal inquiries to me or to any of our staff who have correspondingly been mandated not to entertain such requests.

Let me conclude by saying that we expect a vibrant process and a successful one that unleashes the commercial opportunities on Nigerian highways from paved roads, to clean and well-maintained highways, proper signage and route assurance signs, rest houses and commuter support for emergencies like vehicle towing and repairs.

We expect a splendid and safer commuting experience for all users of these roads as a result of the HDMI.

I thank all members of the Ministry and the ICRC and our partners especially KPMG and UKNIAF who worked tirelessly to bring us so far and urge them to prepare for more hard work in weeks and months ahead in order to bring this initiative to conclusion. More grease to their very hardworking elbows.

Thank you all.

Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN
Honourable Minister for Works and Housing