Tinubu Approves Major Highway Projects
President Bola Tinubu has approved the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway using reinforced concrete pavement, alongside the extension of Nigeria's Fourth Legacy Highway by an additional 400 kilometres. The approvals were announced by Minister of Works David Umahi during a media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, as part of the Federal Government's infrastructure development programme under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway reconstruction comes after sections of the road showed signs of deterioration less than five years after rehabilitation. According to Umahi, the project will replace the existing asphalt surface with reinforced concrete pavement, which offers a longer lifespan and lower maintenance costs. Repeated repair works had failed to resolve structural problems, making full reconstruction the most sustainable option.
Fourth Legacy Highway Expansion
The President approved the expansion of the Fourth Legacy Highway from about 700 kilometres to approximately 1,100 kilometres, extending the corridor into Taraba State. The additional stretch will pass through several historic communities, strengthening road links between the North-Central and North-East regions. Umahi described this as one of the largest expansions of a federal highway project in recent years.
Beyond the Lagos-Ibadan corridor, Tinubu also approved the completion of the abandoned Ibi Bridge in Taraba State, which was awarded in 2018 but stalled at about 40 per cent completion. Approval was granted for the construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lau Bridge across the Benue River and the dualisation of an additional 400 kilometres of the East-West Road corridor from Lokoja to Benin.
Coastal Highway and Other Projects
Umahi announced that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will officially be known as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway, recognising the President's long-standing vision for the project. Work is advancing simultaneously across several sections of the 750-kilometre coastal highway. The first section from Victoria Island to Eleko Village in Lagos is progressing steadily, while the second section towards the Lagos-Ogun boundary has reached about 60 per cent completion and is expected to be substantially completed by November, except for some bridge works.
Construction is also progressing in Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Ogun and Ondo states, while work continues on other flagship projects including the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway and the Trans-Sahara Highway. According to the minister, the approvals align with the Tinubu administration's Renewed Hope Agenda, prioritising large-scale infrastructure investments aimed at improving national integration, reducing travel time and supporting economic growth across the country.
Impact on Road Safety and Trade
Umahi said the projects would improve road safety, facilitate trade and reduce travel time on some of Nigeria's busiest transport routes. The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is a critical economic corridor, and its reconstruction with concrete pavement is expected to provide a durable solution to persistent deterioration. The extension of the East-West Road and completion of bridges in Taraba State will enhance connectivity in underserved regions.
The Minister emphasised that the approvals demonstrate the government's commitment to modernising Nigeria's transport network. He noted that the concrete pavement technology for the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway would significantly reduce maintenance costs over the long term, citing examples from other countries where similar approaches have proven successful.
