Road Spending Jumps Nearly 500% in Two Years as Government Targets Completion of Long-Delayed Highways
The Federal Government has proposed a massive ₦3.23 trillion allocation for the construction, rehabilitation and repair of federal roads in the 2026 budget, signalling a major shift in capital spending priorities as it seeks to fast-track delivery of critical highway projects across the country.
The proposed allocation represents a sharp increase of about 489 per cent compared to the ₦548.56 billion provided for road projects in the 2024 budget, underscoring the administration’s renewed focus on road infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth.
Budget documents show that the Ministry of Works received ₦1.013 trillion in the 2025 budget for the construction and rehabilitation of 468 federal roads, a figure that already marked a significant rise from 2024 levels. The proposed 2026 allocation more than triples that amount.
Breakdown of 2026 Road Spending
A review of the 2026 budget estimates presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu and released by the Budget Office indicates that the government plans to spend:
- ₦1.39 trillion on the construction and provision of roads
- ₦285.62 billion on rehabilitation and repair works
- ₦1.56 trillion on broader infrastructure construction
In total, the Ministry of Works has a proposed capital budget envelope of ₦3.24 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year.
The government has consistently maintained that improved road infrastructure is essential to lowering transportation costs, boosting trade and supporting economic growth, amid growing public concern over the condition of major federal highways.
Focus on Inherited and Strategic Highways
The Tinubu administration has prioritised the completion of 2,604 inherited road projects, with the 2026 budget making substantial provisions for key economic corridors.
On the Abuja–Lokoja axis, the proposal includes:
- ₦7.7 billion for reconstruction of Sections I and II (Zuba–Abaji)
- ₦4.9 billion for completion of outstanding dualised sections covering 86.6 kilometres
- ₦4.2 billion for reconstruction of the Koton-Karfi–Abaji Road (Abuja-bound)
For the Kano–Maiduguri Road, allocations include:
- ₦13.3 billion for Section I (Kano–Wudil–Shuarin)
- ₦4.2 billion for Section IV (Potiskum–Damaturu), including failed sections
- ₦7 billion for Section V (Damaturu–Maiduguri)
An additional ₦7.01 billion was proposed for the reconstruction of Section III of the Mubi–Maiduguri Road, covering Madagali to Bama via Pulka and Gwoza.
Major Regional Road Projects
The budget earmarks:
- ₦52.5 billion for Phase II of the Kano–Katsina Road dualisation
- ₦23.8 billion for Phase I of the same project
- ₦6.31 billion for the dualisation of the Kano–Kwanar–Danja–Hadejia Road (Section II)
On the Lokoja–Benin Road, allocations include ₦14 million each for multiple Phase I sections and rehabilitation works along the corridor.
In the South-East and South-South, the proposal includes:
- ₦11.9 billion for rehabilitation of Section III of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Road (Enugu–Lokpanta)
- ₦7.7 billion for Section IV (Aba–Port Harcourt)
- ₦6.3 billion for rehabilitation of Section II of the Enugu–Port Harcourt dual carriageway
Other notable allocations include:
- ₦12.6 billion for reconstruction of the Ikorodu–Itoikin Road in Lagos
- ₦7 billion for emergency repairs on Eko Bridge
- ₦5.6 billion for rehabilitation of the Asaba–Agbor dual carriageway
- ₦14 billion for the Wusasa–Jos–Turunku–Mararaban Jos Road in Kaduna
Nationwide Rehabilitation and New Projects
Rehabilitation funding cuts across multiple states, with ₦700 million each allocated to several key roads in states including Gombe, Niger, Kebbi, Kwara, Oyo, Ekiti, Jigawa, Ogun, Anambra, Yobe and Cross River.
Beyond individual contracts, the ministry proposed:
- ₦600 billion for new road projects nationwide
- ₦100 billion as a contingency fund
- ₦120 billion for ongoing projects in the South-South
- ₦160 billion for the South-West
- ₦100 billion each for the South-East, North-East and North-Central
- ₦120 billion for the North-West
The proposal also reflects substantial external financing, including ₦367.9 billion in tied loans for projects such as the Lafia Bypass and the dualisation of the 9th Mile–Otukpo–Makurdi Road, as well as ₦157 billion in counterpart funding for the China Harbour Makurdi–9th Mile project.
Scrutiny Ahead
The 2026 Works budget represents one of the largest single-sector capital allocations in recent years, highlighting the government’s emphasis on road infrastructure as a driver of trade, national integration and economic development.
However, analysts note that timely fund releases, contractor performance and execution capacity will be critical if the ambitious spending plan is to result in completed highways rather than a growing list of stalled projects.
The proposed budget is expected to face detailed scrutiny at the National Assembly in the coming weeks, with lawmakers likely to question project prioritisation, regional balance and the ministry’s ability to deliver on its expanded mandate.
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