Nigeria reaffirms commitment to Lagos- Abidjan highway project

The Federal Government of Nigeria has reiterated its unwavering commitment to the ambitious 1,028-kilometer Lagos‒Abidjan Corridor project, pivotal regional highway designed to revolutionize trade and connectivity across West Africa.

This assurance comes amidst ongoing discussions to resolve critical technical and financing issues, with Nigeria advocating for a robust design tailored to its unique road infrastructure needs.

Senator Engr. David Umahi the Minister of Works and Chairman of the Steering Committee for the project, conveyed Nigeria’s steadfast support during a high -level meeting in Abuja on Thursday.

Delegations from ECOWAS Commission and African Development Bank (AfDB) met with Minister Umahi to brief him on progress and tackle outstanding challenges.

Connecting Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria, the Lagos‒Abidjan Corridor is envisioned as a cornerstone of regional integration.

The Minister emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, fully backs the initiative, aligning it with administration’s core agenda of infrastructural development.
“I bring greetings from the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is fully committed to infrastructural development in Nigeria,” the Minister stated.

He highlighted that the Lagos‒ Abidjan corridor is being developed to mirror the scale and ambition of Nigeria’s ongoing Sokoto‒Badagry Superhighway, featuring reinforced concrete pavement, three lanes on each carriageway, and modern design standards for long-term durability.

Umahi also underscored the broader context of Nigeria’s extensive road investments, linking them to the regional vision.
He noted significant progress on major sections of the Sokoto‒Badagry route, with the Badagry section (162 km) already awarded and under construction. The Uyo section (180 kilometers) is also slated for award soon.

The Minister clarified that the Lagos‒Abidjan project is part of an interconnected network, including the Lagos‒Calabar Coastal Highway and other legacy routes spanning all six
geopolitical zones.

“This project will drive trade across West Africa and the African coast,” Umahi affirmed, detailing that the 750-kilometer coastal highway has multiple sections completed, ongoing, or nearing commissioning.

He cited Section one (47.47 kilometers in Lagos) as completed and set for commissioning in May, with Section two (55 kilometers) expected to reach the
Ogun boundary by December.