President Bola Tinubu has approved the extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway by an additional 400 kilometres, expanding the strategic road corridor from about 700 kilometres to approximately 1,100 kilometres.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja, where he also announced the President’s approval for the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway using reinforced concrete pavement.
Other projects approved by the President include the completion of the abandoned Ibi Bridge in Taraba State, the construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lau Bridge, and the dualisation of an additional 400 kilometres of the East-West Road.
Umahi described the approvals as a major milestone in the Federal Government’s infrastructure renewal agenda, noting that the projects would enhance national integration, stimulate economic activities, and improve connectivity across regions.
According to the minister, the approvals further reflect President Tinubu’s commitment to delivering critical infrastructure projects across the country’s geopolitical zones.
Speaking on the expansion of the Fourth Legacy Highway, Umahi said the President approved the extension on Wednesday, describing it as a landmark development.
“The greatest story is that yesterday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the addition of 400 kilometres to our Fourth Legacy Road. That is unprecedented,” he said.
He explained that the extension would take the highway through Taraba State, strengthening connections between the North-Central and North-East regions.
The Fourth Legacy Highway was originally designed as a dual carriageway linking Akwanga in Nasarawa State to Maiduguri in Borno State through Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, and Biu. The new extension will further stretch the corridor into Taraba State.
On the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Umahi said President Tinubu had approved its complete reconstruction following the deterioration of some sections less than five years after rehabilitation.
He said the decision reinforced the ministry’s position that reinforced concrete pavement provides a more durable alternative to asphalt for major highways.
“The President approved yesterday the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Road, and that is the justification for our fight for the use of reinforced concrete pavement,” Umahi stated.
The minister explained that despite previous repairs, parts of the 135-kilometre dual carriageway had continued to fail.
“The project is not up to five years old, yet it has already started failing. They repaired it, and it still failed,” he said.
Umahi added that rebuilding the expressway with reinforced concrete pavement would provide a long-term solution, with the road expected to last between 50 and 100 years with minimal maintenance.
The minister also announced the approval for the completion of the Ibi Bridge project in Taraba State, which was awarded in 2018 but abandoned after reaching about 40 per cent completion.
“Yesterday, the President approved the review and completion of the Ibi Bridge in Taraba State,” he said.
He further disclosed that approval had also been granted for the construction of the Lau Bridge across the Benue River, as part of ongoing efforts to expand and modernise Nigeria’s road infrastructure.u
