NewStats: 3,264,049 , 8,182,418 topics. Date: Monday, 09 June 2025 at 12:38 PM 1f5d72

The Federal Government has begun high-level discussions with private concessionaires willing to invest over N1.5tn in Nigeria’s road infrastructure, but who are yet to mobilise due to unresolved istrative issues.

At a meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, alongside the Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, and the Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Dr Jobson Ewalefoh, met with representatives of concessionaire firms to address concerns delaying the commencement of work on major highway projects.

The Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who ed the meeting virtually, assured the concessionaires that the Federal Government was committed to resolving all outstanding matters to facilitate immediate mobilisation to the site.

Speaking at the meeting, Edun disclosed that the government had finalised agreements for the reconstruction and management of nine major highways spanning approximately 900 kilometres.

These include the Lagos-Badagry-Seme Border, Shagamu-Benin, Lagos-Abeokuta, Abuja-Lokoja, Enugu-Port Harcourt-Owerri-Aba, and Potiskum-Damaturu-Kano-Zaria corridors.

“These road projects are valued at about N1.5tn and will be financed and executed by the private sector under a 25-year concession agreement, with cost recovery through tolling,” Edun said.

He noted that while most of the legal and financial arrangements had been concluded, some istrative issues were still delaying take-off, prompting the meeting with the investors.

Edun said, “It’s a substantial investment by the private sector, bridging budgetary gaps and taking over revenue-generating assets which they can manage, improve, and maintain over a long period.”

He reiterated that the Tinubu istration remained committed to creating an enabling environment for private investment, adding that highway development was a key part of the government’s strategy to boost productivity, create jobs, and reduce poverty.


The finance minister cited the Benin-Asaba Highway as a model project under the initiative.

The 125km road has already been handed over to the concessionaire, with reconstruction works underway. The project is expected to reduce travel time between Benin and Asaba from four hours to one hour.

One of the concessionaires, Mr Kola Karim of Shoreline, urged the government to provide updated, enforceable documentation specifying takeoff and handover dates.

He also requested the g of an addendum to the original agreements to enable tolling on completed sections while work continues on other parts of the roads.

“Each concessionaire has unique challenges that need to be addressed,” Karim said.


Although the meeting ended without final resolutions, Edun disclosed that another session had been scheduled for Tuesday, where all parties, including the Minister of Works, are expected to finalise the outstanding issues.

Bagudu, in his remarks, described the meeting as a milestone, assuring the investors of the government’s . “Your funders need confidence that reforms are in place and will be sustained. We are here to give you that assurance,” he said.

Edun also revealed that Nigeria’s economic reforms under President Bola Tinubu had received strong backing from the international community during recent engagements in Washington D.C., adding that the government’s economic recovery plan hinges heavily on private sector participation.

https://punchng.com/fg-engages-investors-on-n1-5tn-highway-concession-projects/

Arume:
Sentiment aside, this istration is Future driven when it comes to infrastructural development. If other istration tried this much we won't be were we are today

Nawa Nlfpmod, I beg which infrastructure. U Don travel Nigeria roads.

These baboons want to start what they can't finish

"We will" all the time.

Auchi Benin road

Make una engage well o!

Arume:
Sentiment aside, this istration is Future driven when it comes to infrastructural development. If other istration tried this much we won't be were we are today

I thought to the removal of subsidy was to free up funds for the government to do lots of infrastructure. the same nigerians paying high for fuel, school fees for kids, food, etc....

Haba same nigerians will now pay for roads directly in the name of concession and you call that a future.

Abuja/Lokoja road has been on construction since 1999. In fact that road needs a flyover bridges.

Ibadan/Akure/Owo road has turned to a trap

Interesting days ahead.. May Nigeria succeed. 🇳🇬

Thanks to baba Tinubu.
If other previous govts had used this PPP strategy,Nigeria would have progressed exponentially.
It was infrastructures that made Dubai what it is today.

Once upon a time we had the PWD Public Works Department. Later FERMA took over and just like the ministry of works they are there to sign contracts and wait for kickbacks. Burkina Faso has employed the model of Direct Labor with a yearly target of 5000km of paved roads with no loan or concessions. All the materials required for construction abound in this blessed country but our politicians and policy makers are out for their pockets alone. Can't lift a finger without loan or using our crude oil as guarantee for payment. Just like NNPC, the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure needs to be restructured.

Arume:
Sentiment aside, this istration is Future driven when it comes to infrastructural development. If other istration tried this much we won't be were we are today

Don't start praising until you know how much toll gate you have to pay and the distance between toll gates. If they hand over every infrastructure to the private sector to manage then they would run Nigeria solely for profit making. who will suffer, the masses. The masses self do they really care.

They want to recreate the lagos model of looting and snatch everything in this country. E go shock them when the time comes.

This is highly commendable, kudos to Engr Dave Umahi for bringing this idea to the table and thanks to Tinubu for accepting it, if they can achieve this in reality and not just on paper, then I sincerely applaud them.


They should also make the bidding and contract award transparent for all to see and for truly qualified companies to bid and win the contracts.


Meanwhile, they should look for a way to also include highway security on the highway roads concession agreement to safeguard our highways from Kidnappers and armed robbers.


With that, the private companies handling the highways can hire competent security companies to mann the highways with adequate security check, using drone technology, closely spaced checkpoints and security and emergency respond stations to swiftly respond to highway arm attacks and accidents.


With this, Nigerians will know who and who to hold responsible when something happens on the concessioned highways. Honestly it's good, its the only way to keep our highways in motorable condition and safe too, lets all embrace it please.

This is doable, we can do it if we decide to do this

This man wants the entire nation to pay toll to him perpetually. Replicating what he did with LEKKI

ezioyi:


Don't start praising until you know how much toll gate you have to pay and the distance between toll gates. If they hand over every infrastructure to the private sector to manage then they would run Nigeria solely for profit making. who will suffer, the masses. The masses self do they really care.

Paying toll gates makes the roads last almost forever because of constant maintenance by the concessionaires.
Maintenance is a very chronic problem in Nigeria.

Guz: As a Project Mgt SME, if you're not maintaining existing roads, but simultaneously awarding, starting, new projects on highways corridors, it means u just want to loot & loot, DAZZOL!

White Elephant Projects...

BlocksNG:
These baboons want to start what they can't finish

Clearly, you don’t fully grasp this news. I believe we need a news outlet that simplifies articles, maybe using Pidgin or very simple English, so everyone can easily understand.

If tolling motorists will guarantee motorable expressways, they should build the tollgates. We must learn to pay a price to enjoy the good things of life. In life, nothing is given for free.

If I invest, how much I wan gain?

This Government doesn't want responsibilities they don't want to take or bear responsibilities

Lols

Why tolling

1. Plug the leaks in government revenue
2. Reduce government spending
3. Restructure the civil service
4. Drastically reduce cost of governance
5. Make corruption very costly, introduce stiff penalties for stealing of public funds


Do all these and we will have enough money for capital projects in the country

Govt of Dem dem

Good

Lagos-Abeokuta

My major concern ...

pacino26:
Once upon a time we had the PWD Public Works Department. Later FERMA took over and just like the ministry of works they are there to sign contracts and wait for kickbacks. Burkina Faso has employed the model of Direct Labor with a yearly target of 5000km of paved roads with no loan or concessions. All the materials required for construction abound in this blessed country but our politicians and policy makers are out for their pockets alone. Can't lift a finger without loan or using our crude oil as guarantee for payment. Just like NNPC, the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure needs to be restructured.

Your claim of 5,000 km is impossible, as you need about $6B -$10B to build 5,000 km per annum; meanwhile, the budget of Burkina Faso is about $6B. Please make it make sense. How do you guys run with illogical falsehoods? C’mon.

What about Benin Auchi road?