The Federal Government has proposed spending ₦3.23 trillion on the construction and rehabilitation of federal roads in the 2026 budget, marking a sharp increase in capital allocation to the transport sector as it intensifies efforts to complete long-delayed highways and repair critical corridors nationwide.
The proposed spending represents an increase of about 489 per cent in two years compared to ₦548.56 billion allocated to road projects in the 2024 budget, highlighting a significant shift in fiscal priority towards road infrastructure.
Budgetary documents further show that the Ministry of Works received ₦1.013 trillion for the construction and rehabilitation of 468 federal roads in the 2025 budget, up from the 2024 allocation.
The proposed 2026 figure more than triples the 2025 provision, underscoring the government’s renewed commitment to accelerate the delivery of inherited projects and flagship highway developments nationwide.
The government has repeatedly said improved road infrastructure is critical to lowering transport costs, boosting trade, and supporting economic growth, amid rising concerns over the state of key federal highways.
A review of the proposed 2026 budget estimates presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu and released by the Budget Office revealed that the government has proposed to spend ₦1.39 trillion on the construction and provision of roads and ₦285.62 billion on rehabilitation and repair works in the 2026 fiscal year, according to details of the Ministry of Works’ capital budget proposal.
In addition, ₦1.56 trillion has been earmarked for the construction and provision of infrastructure. The ministry also has a total capital budget envelope spending of ₦3.24 trillion.
Recall that the current administration has intensified efforts to complete 2,604 road projects inherited from previous governments.
Under road construction and reconstruction in the proposed 2026 budget, the government allocated ₦7.7 billion for the reconstruction of the Abuja–Lokoja Road (Sections I and II: Zuba–Abaji), while ₦4.9 billion was allocated for the completion of outstanding dualised sections of the same corridor, covering a remaining length of 86.6 kilometres.
Also on the Abuja–Lokoja axis, ₦4.2 billion was proposed for the reconstruction of the Koton-Karfi–Abaji Road, Abuja-bound, in Kogi State.
Major funding was also proposed for the Kano–Maiduguri Road, with ₦13.3 billion allocated for Section I (Kano–Wudil–Shuarin), ₦4.2 billion for Section IV (Potiskum–Damaturu, including rehabilitation of failed portions), and ₦7 billion for Section V (Damaturu–Maiduguri). In addition, ₦7.01 billion was proposed for the reconstruction of Section III of the Mubi–Maiduguri Road, covering Madagali to Bama through Pulka and Gwoza.
The budget further earmarked ₦52.5 billion for Phase II of the Kano–Katsina Road dualisation, stretching from KM 74+100 to KM 152+655, while ₦23.8 billion was allocated for Phase I, running from Dawanau Roundabout in Kano to the Katsina State border.
Another ₦6.31 billion was proposed for the dualisation and reconstruction of the Kano–Kwanar–Danja–Hadejia Road (Section II). On the Lokoja–Benin Road, the proposal includes ₦14 million each for Phase I sections covering Obajana–Okene, Okene–Auchi, Auchi–Ehor, and Ehor–Benin City, while ₦14 million was also allocated to rehabilitation works along the same corridor.
The PUNCH
