The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a series of new and re-scoped road projects worth over N750 billion across the country.
Addressing State House correspondents on Monday after the FEC meeting chaired by President Bola Tinubu, Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, said the Council approved the re-scoping of multiple projects inherited from past administrations to align with current budgetary realities and funding availability.
Among the key approvals was the re-scoping of the Akure-Eta-Ogbese-Ekiti border to Ikere-Ado-Ekiti road project, which spans Ondo and Ekiti states. The original 18.4km dual carriageway was revised to 15km at a cost of N19.4 billion. In line with FEC’s earlier directive to re-evaluate inherited contracts within available funding, the Ministry of Works also revised the Sokoto-Zamfara-Katsina-Kaduna road project.
Although initially awarded for N105 billion, the 375km stretch has now been rescoped to cover 82.4km along with six bridges, retaining the original budget figure.
Another project undergoing re-scoping is the Maiduguri-Monguno road in Borno State. Awarded in 2018 as a 105km project, the Ministry has now divided it into two phases. The first phase, covering 30km, has been approved at a cost of N21 billion, while the second phase will be presented to FEC upon completion of the first.
The Council also approved several new projects. In Ebonyi State, the Abakaliki-Afikpo flyover was awarded for N25 billion. In Ogun State, the construction of the Ikoga and Atan-Alapoti-Ado-Odo road was approved for N37 billion.
The Enugu-Onitsha expressway was another major approval, with a 77km stretch awarded for N150 billion. Umahi noted that part of this project is being handled under the tax credit scheme with MTN Nigeria.
Similarly, the Benin-Shagamu-Ore road saw new approvals, with the remaining 96km section now awarded for N187 billion. Umahi also highlighted the federal government’s 7th Axial Road project, an evacuation corridor linked to the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
The 50km road, including five kilometers of bridges, is set to be funded by a $651.7 million facility from the China Exim Bank. President Tinubu personally presented the project to Chinese authorities during a recent visit.
FEC also ratified the Aba-Ikot-Ekpene road project, with the first phase approved at a cost of N30.2 billion.
Additionally, the rehabilitation of the Ebute-Ero Outer Marina Shoreline, initially awarded for N114 billion, has been revised to N176.5 billion due to escalating coastal erosion threatening vital infrastructure, including military and naval installations.
In Gombe State, the Cham-Numan section of the Gombe-Yola road in Adamawa has been rescoped and awarded at N9.25 billion for the first phase.
Umahi revealed that over 70% of work has been completed on Section One of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. About 30km will be ready for commissioning by President Tinubu, with an additional 10km on Section Two.
The Minister disclosed that both the Dutch Bank and the Development Bank of Southern Africa have reviewed the procurement process for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and confirmed it as “excellent,” even describing it as “undervalued.” The endorsement came after the banks visited Nigeria and inspected the project sites.
“I am very happy and excited to announce that the loan component of that project has passed international scrutiny. They were satisfied with the content and character of the project,” Umahi said.
Umahi also gave an update on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, revealing that over 70 percent of Section One has been completed, with 30km expected to be ready for commissioning by President Tinubu. Another 10km of Section Two will also be available soon.
