…. Greenlights Key National Infrastructure Projects
By Deborah Nnamdi
In a major boost to Nigeria’s infrastructure development, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved ₦187 billion for the completion of the final 96 kilometres of the Benin–Shagamu–Ore dual carriageway, a critical economic corridor linking the South-West to the South-South.
The announcement was made by Minister of Works, David Umahi, following Monday’s FEC meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja. According to Umahi, the newly approved section covers 48 kilometres per lane, completing the remaining stretch of the dual carriageway.
The construction contract has been awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), a leading firm in Nigeria’s road infrastructure development.
Key Facts About the Benin–Shagamu–Ore Road Project:
- Previously completed: 24 kilometres (12km per lane) from the Shagamu Interchange
- Newly approved: 96 kilometres (48km per lane)
- Contractor: CCECC
- Total cost: ₦187 billion
The expressway is a vital link between Lagos and Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, facilitating trade, transportation, and regional connectivity.
Additional Infrastructure Projects Approved by FEC:
The Federal Executive Council also ratified several new and revised road projects across the country, aligning them with available funding and strategic economic goals:
- Enugu–Onitsha Expressway (77km): Re-scoped and re-awarded at ₦150 billion
- Ikoga Road, Ogun State: Approved at ₦37.045 billion
- Abakaliki–Afikpo Flyover, Ebonyi State: Approved at ₦25 billion
- Aba–Ikot Ekpene Road (Phase One): Awarded at ₦30.225 billion
- Ebute-Ero Outer Marina Shoreline Rehabilitation, Lagos: Revised cost now ₦176.495 billion, up from ₦144 billion due to erosion risks near military facilities
- Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina–Kaduna Road: Resized to 82.4km with six bridges; retains original ₦105 billion budget
- Maiduguri–Monguno Road (Phase One): First 30km awarded at ₦21 billion
- Cham–Numan Road, Adamawa State (Phase One): Approved at ₦9.253 billion
Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway: Sectional Progress Report
Minister Umahi also highlighted progress on the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, with 30 kilometres of section one and 10 kilometres of section two nearing completion. The ambitious coastal route is expected to transform interstate commerce and tourism across the southern region.
$651.7 Million Approved for 7th Axial Road Connecting Lekki Port to Shagamu
In another landmark decision, the FEC approved $651.7 million for the construction of the 7th Axial Road, a 55-kilometre logistics corridor designed to link the Lekki Deep Seaport to the Shagamu–Ore Expressway.
Key features of the project:
- Road length: 50km of expressway and 5km of bridges
- Route: Connects Epe to the national road grid
- Benefits: Direct access to 17 southern states and northern trade routes
- Strategic assets served: Lekki Free Trade Zone, Dangote Refinery, and Fertiliser Plant
- Funding: Backed by China Exim Bank
- Origins: One of two infrastructure proposals presented by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to President Xi Jinping of China
Economic and Strategic Impact
According to Minister Umahi, the 7th Axial Road is expected to:
- Decongest Lagos ports
- Reduce logistics costs
- Improve freight movement from industrial hubs
- Enhance Nigeria’s global trade competitiveness
The project, originally conceptualised under the Buhari administration, underscores Nigeria’s continued efforts to strengthen its infrastructure backbone and accelerate economic growth through road connectivity.
