The Federal Government of Nigeria has commenced the construction of 1,224 kilometers of major roads across Nigeria as part of an ambitious infrastructure drive aimed at strengthening regional connectivity and economic growth.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, confirmed that the projects span critical corridors, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Expressway, and the Trans-Saharan Highway linking North Africa.
According to Umahi, construction on the 700km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is progressing in phases, with initial sections already active. The project is expected to spur tourism, trade, and logistics along Nigeria’s southern coast.
In the North-West and South-West, over 350km of the Sokoto-Badagry Expressway is under active construction. The corridor is set to enhance agricultural supply chains and connect border communities to key markets.
Nigeria’s contribution to the African Union’s Trans-Saharan Highway is also underway, with 174km currently being developed to strengthen Nigeria’s AfCFTA role.
“These are not just roads; they are economic arteries,” Umahi said. The projects are funded through federal budgets, PPPs, and development finance. Experts have urged transparency, quality delivery, and sustained oversight.
