As we witness significant strides in road construction across the Southwest region, it is essential to recognise the efforts of President Bola Tinubu administration in enhancing the nation’s infrastructure. The Federal Government’s commitment to transforming the road networks in each state not only aims to ease transportation but also to stimulate economic growth and improve the quality of life for citizens. This editorial focuses on the ongoing road development initiatives across the Southwest region of Nigeria, highlighting President Bola Tinubu administration’s dedication to improving infrastructure.
In Ondo State, Starnews NG reports that the Federal Government is executing a comprehensive logistical overhaul centred around the 86.43 km Ore–Ondo–Akure Dual Carriageway. This ongoing rigid-concrete project, valued at ₦134 billion, is designed to permanently eliminate seasonal flooding bottlenecks that have plagued the area. Alongside this, the recently re-awarded Section 2 of the Benin–Akure–Ilesa Expressway, a substantial 216.85 km concrete dualisation corridor has seen an impressive federal investment of ₦525 billion. This initiative aims to replace worn asphalt and includes section-by-section pavement reconstruction along the highly degraded 96 km Benin–Shagamu–Ore Highway corridor, valued at ₦187 billion.
Moving into Ekiti State, Starnews NG reports that the focus on breaking long-standing regional isolation is evident in the federal funding allocated for the newly approved 18 km Akure–Iju–Ekiti to Ikere–Ado–Ekiti Border Alignment. This critical inter-state gateway, greenlit by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for ₦19.4 billion, marks a significant step toward improved connectivity. Additionally, the Federal Ministry of Works is injecting ₦15.62 billion into the newly integrated Enyi–Ilawe Ekiti Road Construction, while ongoing targeted rehabilitation works along the primary Ado Ekiti–Ife–Ibadan Trade Corridor aim to repair deep structural failures and route washouts.
In Lagos State, Starnews NG writes that the flagship 700 km Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway (Section 1) remains actively under construction, with multi-lane reinforced concrete pavement currently being laid directly from Victoria Island. To secure international trade through the Lekki Deep Sea Port and Dangote Refinery, the FEC has ratified a substantial $651.7 million (approximately ₦1.05 trillion) facility from the China Exim Bank for the 50 km Lekki Corridor 7th Axial Road, featuring 5 km of bridges. Additionally, the active construction of the 1,068 km Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway border connections and a newly approved federal concession framework for the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway further demonstrates the government’s commitment to enhancing infrastructure.
In Oyo State, Starnews NG gathered that the Tinubu administration has deployed a cluster of new multi-billion naira approvals alongside the ongoing legacy Oyo–Ogbomoso Dualisation Bypass. This includes the ₦276 billion Ilorin–Ogbomoso Road Dualisation, which connects to Kwara State; the ₦265 billion Iseyin–Eruwa–Agbesi Road Reconstruction to open up the state’s main agricultural belt; and the ₦217 billion Old Alignment Ijaye to FGC to Ilorin Road with a dedicated spur line to Akinmorin. The ₦98 billion Idi-Araba–Ayede–Olodo Road (30 km) and the successfully completed 21.54 km Awe–Iwo Ate Road further highlight the administration’s focus on infrastructural improvement.
Within Ogun State, Starnews NG can report that federal financing has heavily targeted industrial transit and critical international border arteries to boost cross-border commerce. This includes the active reconstruction of the Sagamu–Papalanto Road, funded directly through the Federal Government’s Tax Credit Infrastructure Scheme, and a ₦37 billion cash injection aimed at fast-tracking long-overdue reconstructions across the heavily degraded Ikoga and Atan–Alapoti–Ado–Odo Federal Corridors, which seamlessly integrate into the ongoing layout of the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway Corridor.
Finally, in Osun State, the Federal Government is strengthening inter-state commercial links with a newly approved ₦110 billion contract for the Ogbomoso–Ooko–Ilupeju Inter-State Link Road. This project is specifically designed to connect rural economic communities bordering Oyo and Osun states. In addition to this new expansion, federal contractors are maintaining systematic, section-by-section pavement reinforcement and concrete overlays across the region’s busiest internal transit trunk line, the Ibadan–Ife–Ilesha Expressway, to permanently address localized structural road failures.
The ongoing road construction projects across the Southwest are a testament to the Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure and fostering economic development. By investing in vital road networks, the government is paving the way for a prosperous future for all citizens. As these projects progress, we can look forward to a more connected and thriving Southwest Nigeria, Starnews NG reports.
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