Politics

Tinubu Approves Six Key Highway Projects, Orders Carter Bridge Replacement

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 5th, 2026.

President Bola Tinubu has given approval for the construction and reconstruction of six major road projects across Nigeria, alongside plans to demolish and rebuild the Carter Bridge in Lagos.

The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who outlined the scope and cost implications of the projects.

Among the approved projects is the completion of the Suleja–Minna Road. The contract was previously awarded to Salini Construction Company but later revoked after only 10 kilometres were delivered due to unsatisfactory performance. The government has now approved the completion of the remaining 71 kilometres of the dual carriageway. One carriageway has been awarded to China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC) at a cost of ₦91 billion, while the second carriageway has received clearance from the Bureau of Public Procurement.

The Federal Government has also approved the demolition and redesign of the Carter Bridge in Lagos. According to Umahi, technical assessments and consultations revealed that the current structure cannot be rehabilitated and must be replaced. A sum of ₦5.6 billion has been set aside for the design and costing phase, with Advanced Engineering Consultants engaged to handle detailed designs and cost evaluation ahead of procurement.

Another project approved is the review and restructuring of the 132-kilometre Kano–Kongolam Road, initially awarded in 2022 under a tax credit scheme. The road, which connects Kano, Jigawa, and Katsina states, has been upgraded from an asphalt design to a three-lane concrete carriageway. The new design will incorporate solar-powered streetlights and CCTV installations for improved security. The revised project cost stands at ₦334 billion.

The Abuja–Lokoja Road will also undergo reconstruction after contracts with two contractors were terminated over poor performance. The affected 86-kilometre stretch will now be rebuilt using reinforced concrete and handled by five contractors, including Julius Berger, which is already working on other sections of the corridor. The project is valued at ₦146 billion.

In addition, the Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa Road, a 103-kilometre dual carriageway estimated at ₦427 billion, has been re-awarded after limited progress under the previous administration.

Phase Two of the Keffi–Nasarawa–Abaji Road rehabilitation has also received approval. The 129.3-kilometre project, costing ₦203 billion, is expected to enhance connectivity between Nasarawa State and the Federal Capital Territory.

Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government intends to commission at least four major road projects in each of the country’s six geopolitical zones by May 15.