KEY POINTS
- Umahi says new highways will last 50–100 years.
- Concrete pavement to replace short-lived asphalt roads.
- Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda targets sustainable highways.
Nigeria’s road network is entering a new era. Minister of Works David Umahi says President Bola Tinubu’s administration is laying a foundation for 100-year Nigerian highways, a stark shift from the nation’s history of short-lived, high-maintenance roads.
Umahi made the statement during an inspection of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway (Section I), where he explained that the government’s new highway standards focus on durability, innovation and cost efficiency.
Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda drives 100-year Nigerian highways
According to Umahi, the new designs combine recycling, milling and concrete reinforcement to build roads capable of withstanding decades of heavy use. “We are building roads that will stand the test of time, roads that will last between 50 and 100 years,” he said.
He added that Nigeria must end the “culture of patching” that drains public funds every few years. The ministry’s approach now recycles existing asphalt layers, which are stronger than fresh ones, instead of the usual “cut-and-fill” technique that causes premature failure.
The Abuja–Kaduna section, handled by Infiouest International Limited, is one of the country’s most advanced road projects. Umahi praised the contractor for maintaining global standards and deploying over 300 heavy-duty machines.
He said the shift from asphalt to rigid concrete pavement will save billions in maintenance costs and extend road lifespan. “We treat every damaged section thoroughly and stabilise it to prevent future failure,” he explained.
Umahi warned contractors against removing sound asphalt layers, calling the practice wasteful and unscientific. He noted that properly recycled asphalt can last beyond 25 years when combined with modern techniques.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, said Tinubu’s focus on sustainable infrastructure shows his vision to make roads lasting national assets.
Officials from the ministry confirmed that Umahi’s hands-on inspections have improved contractor accountability and construction quality. Infiouest Chairman Joseph Aboue Jaoude said the expressway now serves as a benchmark for engineering excellence in Nigeria.
100-year Nigerian highways to redefine national connectivity
Stretching 375 kilometres, the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway connects the Federal Capital Territory with major northern trade corridors. Originally awarded in 2018, it faced setbacks from insecurity and funding gaps before its redesign under Umahi.
When it’s done, the highway should cut travel time in half, lower the cost of running vehicles, and increase trade in the North-West.
The road network in Nigeria is 195,000 kilometers long, but it has long been poorly built and costs a lot to keep up. The new Nigerian roadways policy for the next 100 years is a turning point. It aims to build infrastructure that will survive for generations and help the country grow.
