President Bola Tinubu on Monday approved ₦2.078 trillion for highway projects spanning 10 states, part of a broader package of infrastructure approvals that also includes an airstrip in Benue and nearly ₦286 billion in maritime upgrades.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided by the President cleared 23 major road projects covering Adamawa, Taraba, Ebonyi, Kwara, Cross River, Kogi, Lagos, Niger, Oyo and Plateau.
Minister of Works David Umahi disclosed this while addressing State House Correspondents after FEC meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The measures are aimed at easing transport bottlenecks, improving movement of people and goods, and stimulating economic activity, the Minister said.
Among the approvals are ₦15 billion augmentation to a 2022 road contract in Gashua, Yobe State, to offset rising construction-material costs.
The approvals also include N15.246 billion for Phase II of the Yola–Fufore–Gurin Road, following completion of Phase I, full business-case clearance for operation and maintenance of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway under a modified Swiss‑challenge procurement.
According to Umahi, President Tinubu has directed the Ministry to seek reconstruction of deteriorating stretches with concrete pavement to improve longevity and safety.
The Minister explained that the approvals also include a tax‑credit arrangement with the Dangote Group for reconstruction of about 400.9 kilometers of federal roads at a cost of ₦1.8325 trillion, replacing an earlier 2022 contract and intended to accelerate delivery.
Minister Umahi said the first 118‑kilometre section of the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano highway, valued at ₦137 billion, is complete, while the remaining 164 kilometres are scheduled for delivery in November.
In a related development, the FEC also approved ₦34.398 billion for construction of an airstrip in Gboko, Benue State.
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo said the contract was awarded to CCECC Nigeria Limited and that the facility will support agriculture, security, humanitarian operations and emergency medical evacuations in the region.
The council also approved about ₦286 billion for maritime-infrastructure and safety projects intended to modernize port operations and bolster navigational and environmental safeguards.
Briefing for the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, Environment Minister Balarabe Lawal said the approvals include two pollution‑control vessels at about ₦59.05 billion to combat plastic and other marine waste and to enhance navigational safety.
Other approvals for the Ministry are a six pilot cutter boats at an estimated ₦80.03 billion to ferry marine pilots and support port-channel navigation and two firefighting boats at roughly ₦34.06 billion (about US$16 million) to strengthen emergency responses at ports, oil terminals and jetties as well as ₦112.85 billion for capital and maintenance dredging of the Escravos Channel under a public‑private partnership between the Nigerian Ports Authority and private-sector operators.
Mr. Lawal described the measures as strategic investments in the so‑called blue economy that will enhance port efficiency, protect marine ecosystems and create economic opportunities.
