“Roads lead to prosperity. They are not just pathways of asphalt and concrete; they are the arteries of commerce, agriculture and industry, carrying the lifeblood of our economy.” — Nigeria’s Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo.
In an address that resonated across the halls of the 2026 United Kingdom Engineering Conference in Glasgow, Scotland, the Minister, issued a compelling rallying cry to Nigerian engineers, diaspora innovators, and
international partners.
Against the backdrop of global economic shifts, Goronyo framed engineering not merely as a technical discipline, but as the foundational bedrock upon which Nigeria’s long-term national development and economic transformation must be built.
At the heart of the Minister’s vision are President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s flagship legacy highway projects-transformative infrastructure corridors designed to bridge geographical divides and unlock unprecedented commercial potential.
These projects represent a diverse geographical and economic spread, beginning with the 750-kilometre Lagos‒ Calabar Coastal Highway, which is set to connect coastal industrial hubs, boost tourism, and enhance the integration of maritime and land-based trade.
Meanwhile, the 1,068- kilometre Sokoto‒Badagry Superhighway aims to unlock vast agricultural belts across the north- west and southwest, fostering more robust interstate commerce.
In the central region, the Trans-Sahara Trade Route connecting Calabar to Abuja serves as a vital regional corridor to strengthen connectivity between southern ports and administrative trade centers.
Complementing these is the 1,100- kilometre Akwanga‒Jos‒Maiduguri Superhighway, which is strategically designed to integrate northeastern
agrarian markets into national supply chains, ensuring that commercial opportunities reach every corner of the country.
Far from being isolated construction ventures, these arteries are engineered to integrate communities, accelerate regional trade, and stimulate grassroots economic activity across every geopolitical zone.
Beyond concrete and asphalt, the Federal Ministry of Works is instituting a stringent framework of professional accountability and regulatory oversight.
Stressing that public infrastructure must meet the highest global standards, Goronyo announced the Ministry’s
full endorsement of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) and its proactive regulatory stance.
This includes enhanced technical monitoring, rigorous project audits, and stricter sanctions for professional misconduct, overseen in tandem with
the Minister of Works, Engr. (Sen.) David Nweze Umahi.
Concluding his address with an open invitation, Goronyo urged diaspora professionals and global investors to leverage Public-Private Partnerships, tax credit schemes, and collaborative ventures.
As Nigeria opens its doors for business, these mega highways promise to deliver more than seamless mobility—they stand to connect dreams, aspirations, and shared prosperity for generations to come.
