President Bola Tinubu has approved the extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway by an additional 400 kilometres, increasing the length of the strategic road corridor from about 700 kilometres to approximately 1,100 kilometres, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced on Thursday.
The minister also disclosed that the President approved the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway with reinforced concrete pavement, the completion of the abandoned Ibi Bridge in Taraba State, the construction of the 5.76-kilometer Lau Bridge, and the dualisation of an additional 400 kilometres of the East-West Road.
Speaking during a media briefing in Abuja, Umahi described the approvals as another milestone in the Federal Government’s infrastructure renewal programme, saying they would improve national integration, boost economic activities and strengthen regional connectivity.
According to him, the latest approvals further demonstrate Tinubu’s commitment to delivering legacy infrastructure projects across all geopolitical zones.
Speaking on the expansion of the Fourth Legacy Highway, Umahi said the president approved the extension on Wednesday.
He said, “The greatest story is that yesterday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu approved the addition of 400 kilometres to our Fourth Legacy Road. That is unprecedented.”
The minister explained that the new extension would take the highway through Taraba State, creating stronger links between the North Central and Northeast.
He said the route would pass through several historic communities and prominent towns before connecting to Taraba.
He continued, “That project will pass through the place of General Gowon. It will pass through the place of Solomon Lar. It will pass through the place of the present National Chairman of the APC. It goes down to Taraba, and that is unprecedented.”
The Fourth Legacy Highway was originally conceived as a dual carriageway linking Akwanga in Nasarawa State with Maiduguri in Borno State through Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe and Biu. The additional 400 kilometres will further extend the corridor into Taraba State.
Umahi also announced presidential approval for the complete reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway after sections of the road began deteriorating less than five years after rehabilitation.
He said the decision vindicated his ministry’s insistence on using reinforced concrete pavement instead of asphalt for major highways.
He added, “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.”
Explaining the decision, Umahi said the existing asphalt pavement had repeatedly failed despite maintenance works.
He stated, “It is 135 kilometres by two carriageways. That project is not up to five years old, yet it has already started failing. We took journalists there. We took members of the National Assembly there. You could see the road failing. They repaired it, and it still failed.”
He added that reinforced concrete pavement offered a more durable solution.
“The answer is to reconstruct it using reinforced concrete pavement that will last between 50 and 100 years, maintenance-free,” the minister said.
Umahi further disclosed that Tinubu had approved the completion of the abandoned Ibi Bridge project in Taraba State.
He explained that the bridge, awarded in 2018, had reached about 40 per cent completion before work stopped.
“That bridge was awarded in 2018, got to about 40 percent completion, and was abandoned. Yesterday, the President approved the review and completion of the Ibi Bridge in Taraba State”, he stated.
The minister also announced the approval for the construction of the Lau Bridge across the Benue River.
He said, “The Lau Bridge in Taraba State, which is 5.76 kilometres across the river, the President approved that it should be designed, procured and awarded.”
The minister said the President equally approved the dualisation of another 400 kilometres of the East-West Road corridor.
He stated, “The President also approved 400 kilometres of dualised East-West Road running from Lokoja down to Benin. This is another very important intervention in our road infrastructure.”
According to Umahi, the project would improve safety, facilitate trade and reduce travel time along one of Nigeria’s busiest transport corridors.
In another major announcement, Umahi disclosed that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway would henceforth be known as the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway.
He said the decision was taken by the Ministry of Works in recognition of Tinubu’s long-standing vision for the landmark infrastructure.
He said, “That highway is named the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway. By the powers conferred on me as minister of works, in consultation with my permanent secretary, the minister of state, directors, and staff of the ministry, we decided to name it after him because of his dream for it.”
