Minister of Works, David Umahi, has disclosed that the Abuja-Lagos highway is set to be completed by 2027 and is engineered to endure for a century.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, September 23, Umahi outlined that the proposed 470-kilometer Abuja-Lagos Greenfield superhighway would be constructed by a private sector consortium at zero cost to the government. The consortium will subsequently operate the facility for a yet-to-be-determined period under a build, operate, and transfer agreement. To recover their investment, the highway will also incorporate toll points.
He elaborated:
“When I first introduced this project to the public, many skeptics doubted its feasibility, questioning whether the journey from Lagos to Abuja, currently taking 14 hours, could be reduced to four and a half hours. This is President Buhari’s renewed commitment. The President has granted approval for me to expedite this project.
This project will feature two lanes, with each lane serving as a dual carriageway, spanning 14 meters in width. The only comparable carriageway is the Third Mainland Bridge, with each carriageway also measuring 14 meters. It will be constructed using 275-millimeter thick concrete.
The design lifespan of this project is an impressive 100 years, and it will be completed within four years, a feat that is entirely achievable. Numerous bridges will be constructed, and several toll points will be established.
We are not investing a single penny, but we will provide assistance in various ways. The next step is to present the business proposal so that we can negotiate the project’s cost. They will then engage with the Ministry of Finance regarding funding. The advantage is that this road is built with concrete, allowing for cost predictability. Unlike asphalt, where costs fluctuate monthly, concrete roads are more durable and cost-effective. I have directed that all ongoing projects that have not yet reached 80 percent completion transition to concrete.”
Umahi also revealed that plans are in motion to transform the road into a bustling business and industrial corridor, featuring hotels, factories, housing estates, and more along its route.
