…As Nigeria, four West African states seek AfDB funding for Lagos-Abidjan highway

…Umahi to chair regional talks on financing 1,028km corridor

…Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway to get solar-powered streetlights

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved eight road projects worth N594.49 billion across the country, while Nigeria and four other West African nations are pursuing financing from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for their respective sections of the proposed 1,028-kilometre Lagos-Abidjan highway.

Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of Wednesday’s FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Umahi said ministers from Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire would meet on Friday to discuss financing arrangements for the regional highway, with him chairing the meeting.

Under the proposed arrangement, the AfDB would provide funding to participating countries to develop their respective sections of the transnational corridor, although the financing remains subject to the outcome of the discussions and the bank’s arrangements.

Nigeria’s section, stretching from Tincan Island in Lagos to the Seme border with Benin Republic, covers 79 kilometres. The other sections comprise 89 kilometres in Togo, 576 kilometres in Ghana, 155 kilometres in Côte d’Ivoire and 128 kilometres in Benin Republic.

The proposed highway is expected to strengthen cross-border connectivity, facilitate the movement of goods and support trade and economic integration across West Africa.

On the domestic front, Umahi said the Council approved eight road projects with contract sums ranging from N11.33 billion to N209 billion, alongside remedial works on deteriorated sections of the East-West Road.

Among the approved projects is the 18-kilometre Amaseri Road, from Ishagu to Otakot on the Enugu Expressway, awarded at N20.257 billion.

The Council also approved N11.33 billion for the third phase of the Umuahia-Bende-Afikpo Road in Abia State, with about five kilometres remaining under the Federal Government’s scope.

Umahi explained that the project had previously been funded under the NNPC tax-credit scheme, but work stalled after the funding arrangement was discontinued.

He said the project was subsequently rescoped, while the Abia State Government undertook to construct the remaining 43 kilometres.

In Kogi State, the Council approved the reconstruction of the 95-kilometre E2K-Okey-Ampa-Otopa Road at N160 billion.

It also approved N209 billion for the 81.1-kilometre Ado-Ekiti-Ijan-Ilumoba-Ikole Road in Ekiti State, including a bridge. The contract was awarded to CBC.

Other approvals include the 17-kilometre Sokoto-Illela Road, Route A1, at N28.218 billion, awarded to Kespeko Global Limited, and a 30-kilometre road linking Adamawa and Taraba states, with five bridges, at N62 billion. The latter contract was awarded to WeChina Nigeria Limited.

The Council further approved N89.2 billion for the 47-kilometre Bichi Ring Road, including a flyover, and N14.486 billion for the eight-kilometre Dikko-Maje link road connecting to the Suleja-Minna Road. The respective contractors are Lara Lake and MW Resources Limited.

On the East-West Road, Umahi said the Council considered remedial works on sections that had deteriorated partly because the road was constructed years ago and now lies below flood level.

The minister also disclosed that the Council commended Tinubu over the completion and commissioning of Lot One of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria highway, which covers 118 kilometres.

He said 81 kilometres of the completed section had been constructed using reinforced concrete pavement within 30 months, describing the achievement as one of the fastest major road construction projects in the country.

According to him, work on the second lot, covering 164 kilometres, is expected to be completed within the next 30 days, with only 16 kilometres outstanding. The section is also being constructed with reinforced concrete pavement.

Umahi added that the entire 375-kilometre Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano corridor would be fitted with solar-powered streetlights, describing it as the longest route to benefit from the initiative.

The FEC meeting was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume and the newly appointed Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Abel Olumuyiwa Enitan, whose appointment took effect on August 27, 2026.

The road approvals and the proposed regional highway financing discussions, Presidency officials say, form part of ongoing efforts to expand transport infrastructure, improve connectivity and facilitate economic activities within Nigeria and across West Africa.