Nigeria Requires N18tn to Fix Roads, says FG

The Federal Government has revealed that a total of N18 trillion is required to address Nigeria’s road infrastructure challenges, a figure far beyond the annual provisions in the National Assembly Appropriation Bills.

Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, made this disclosure while speaking with journalists after defending his ministry’s 2025 budget proposals before the Senate Committee on Works.

Umahi explained that the government inherited 2,064 road projects worth N13 trillion in 2023. However, with the current market realities, the cost of these projects has now ballooned to nearly N18 trillion.

He emphasized that to properly address the state of Nigeria’s roads, the country must borrow money, as the current budgetary provisions are insufficient.

“The President inherited 2,064 projects, totaling N13 trillion in 2023. If you review those projects in line with the current market realities, it should be close to N18 trillion,” Umahi stated. “So, when the President, an economist who understands the complexities we are facing, is making efforts to borrow money for these projects, it’s only natural for the public to question his actions. But we have to borrow money to fix the roads.”

Umahi further noted that road infrastructure is vital for economic growth, creating jobs, and alleviating poverty. “When the roads are fixed, it will stimulate a lot of economic activity, from those selling sand, chippings, food vendors, to other local businesses,” he added.

He stressed the importance of supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to borrow for road projects, asserting that the government cannot manufacture the necessary funds. “We need to encourage the President. He can’t manufacture money. Criticizing his efforts is discouraging,” Umahi stated.

The Minister also pointed out that road infrastructure cannot be fixed solely through yearly budgetary allocations and requires serious and sustained attention.

In his comments, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Barinada Mpigi, acknowledged the enormous financial requirements for Nigeria’s road projects. He added that alternative funding methods need to be explored to ensure the timely completion of these crucial projects.

“We can see that these projects are massive, and we need to explore various ways to secure funding and ensure the projects are delivered to our people,” Mpigi stated.

He also clarified that the National Assembly’s requests for road projects in constituencies are not merely political but are based on the real needs of their communities.