President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, August 6, flagged off two major road projects in Osun State with a combined value of ₦216.65 billion, just days before the state's governorship election scheduled for August 15. The projects, the Gbongan-Osogbo Road and the Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Road, are expected to be completed within 24 months.
Project Scope and Costs
The Gbongan-Osogbo Road, spanning approximately 44 kilometres, will involve the upgrading of failed sections and reconstruction of deteriorated dualised portions. It connects Osogbo to communities including Owode-Ede, Akoda-Ede, Sekona, Oogi, Ode-Omu, and Gbongan. The contract was awarded to Messrs Trucrete Solutions Limited at a cost of ₦101.8 billion.
The Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Road, stretching about 82 kilometres, serves as the shortest route linking Osogbo to Ibadan and passes through key agricultural zones in Osun and Oyo states. The contract for this road went to Messrs Peculiar Concerns Limited, valued at ₦114.85 billion, also with a 24-month completion period.
Official Launch Ceremony
Tinubu was represented at the ceremony in Osogbo by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola. The event was attended by Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo, Minister of Works Senator Dave Umahi, and Osun governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji, among other dignitaries.
In his address, Tinubu urged the contractors to maintain speed without compromising quality and called on them to create opportunities for young Nigerians on both projects. He said, "Let me assure you, this administration will enforce quality standards, transparency, and value for money. Every Naira must count. Every milestone must be met. And every community must feel the benefit."
Presidential Assurance and Contractors' Mandate
He added, "To our contractors and engineers, deliver with excellence and speed. Together, we will build not just a road, but trust, not just a route, but a future."
The President also provided progress updates on other federal infrastructure projects. On the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, he said Section 1 in Lagos had been substantially completed, while sections across Ogun, Akwa Ibom, and Cross River states remained at various stages. Work on the Sokoto-Badagry Road was said to be progressing across multiple sections, with completion levels ranging from 18 per cent to 60 per cent.
Other Federal Road Projects Update
For the Trans-Sahara trade route, which runs from Calabar through Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa to Abuja, some sections had begun while others were still in design and mobilisation phases. The Ibadan-Ife-Ilesha rehabilitation and the dualisation of the Ilesha-Akure-Owo-Benin Road were also cited as ongoing projects at different stages of completion.
The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, used the occasion to publicly back Tinubu's re-election in 2027 and said rival presidential candidates would not receive his support. Governor Okpebholo and Minister Umahi separately called on Osun residents to support the ruling party in the state's forthcoming governorship election.
