Amanze Chinonye
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved infrastructure projects worth more than ₦4.26 trillion across the road, maritime and aviation sectors, in one of the largest single-day infrastructure commitments under the President Bola Tinubu administration, Prime Business Africa reports.
The approvals were granted at Monday’s council meeting presided over by President Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe package is dominated by road infrastructure projects, which account for about ₦3.94 trillion, while maritime interventions total approximately ₦286 billion and an aviation project in Benue State is valued at ₦34.398 billion.
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Briefing State House correspondents after the meeting, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the council approved 23 road projects across 10 states Adamawa, Taraba, Ebonyi, Kwara, Cross River, Kogi, Lagos, Niger, Oyo and Plateau at a combined cost of about ₦2.078 trillion.
He said the projects are designed to improve connectivity, reduce travel time, facilitate the movement of goods and people, and stimulate economic activity across the affected states.
Among the approvals was a ₦15 billion augmentation for the 32.2-kilometre Gashua road project in Yobe State, originally awarded in 2022, following a rise in construction material costs.
In Adamawa State, FEC also approved ₦15.246 billion for the second phase of the Yola–Fufore–Gurin Road, covering an additional 20 kilometres after completion of the initial 17.84-kilometre section.
The council also approved the Full Business Case for the concessioning of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, paving the way for private sector participation in the long-term management of one of the country’s busiest highways.
Umahi said President Tinubu had directed the Ministry of Works to commence procurement for the reconstruction of the deteriorating Ibadan section of the expressway using reinforced concrete technology.
He said the affected stretch, particularly sections previously handled by Julius Berger, had significantly deteriorated and now poses safety risks to motorists.
The largest approval of the day was the ₦1.8325 trillion rescoping and re-award of a 409-kilometre dual carriageway project in Niger State under the Tax Credit Scheme.
Umahi explained that the project, which translates to about 818 kilometres of pavement due to its dual carriageway design, will be executed by the Dangote Group using reinforced concrete technology.
He said the project replaces an earlier contract awarded in 2022 to CGC and was redesigned to improve durability and accelerate delivery along a corridor that has recorded multiple fatal tanker accidents.
Providing an update on ongoing works, the minister disclosed that the first 118-kilometre section of the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Highway has been completed, while the remaining 164-kilometre section is progressing and is expected to be delivered by November.
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In the aviation sector, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced approval of ₦34.398 billion for the construction of an airstrip in Gboko, Benue State, awarded to CCECC Nigeria Limited.
He said the facility will support agricultural logistics, enhance security operations, and improve emergency response capacity, including humanitarian and medical services.
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The maritime component of the approvals, valued at about ₦286 billion, is aimed at strengthening port operations, improving safety at sea, and advancing Nigeria’s blue economy strategy.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Abbas Lawal, said the interventions are designed to modernise maritime infrastructure, enhance operational efficiency, and improve environmental protection across Nigeria’s waterways.
The package covers four major investment categories.
FEC approved the procurement of two marine pollution control vessels valued at about ₦59.05 billion, designed to tackle plastic waste, oil residues, and other marine pollutants across territorial waters, creeks, and inland waterways.
It also approved six pilot cutter boats worth about ₦80.03 billion, intended to improve the safe transport of marine pilots to and from vessels and support navigation in congested port channels.
In addition, the council approved two firefighting boats valued at about ₦34.06 billion, to strengthen emergency response capacity at sea, particularly in incidents involving ships, oil terminals, waterfront installations, and other critical port infrastructure.
The largest component of the maritime package is ₦112.85 billion for the capital and maintenance dredging of the Escravos Channel, to be executed through a joint venture between the Nigerian Ports Authority and private sector partners.
Lawal said the dredging project will improve channel depth, remove underwater obstructions, enhance navigability, and ensure compliance with international maritime safety standards. It is also expected to reduce bottlenecks in one of Nigeria’s key oil and shipping corridors and improve vessel movement efficiency.
He added that the interventions reflect government’s renewed focus on strengthening the maritime economy, reducing pollution risks, modernising port infrastructure, and improving the competitiveness of Nigeria’s shipping and logistics sector.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
