President Bola Tinubu has approved the reconstruction and expansion of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Fourth Legacy Highway, two critical arteries that have long suffered from chronic congestion and decay. The projects, estimated to cost over N1.3 trillion, are part of the administration's broader infrastructure push to unlock economic potential and improve mobility for millions of Nigerians.
The scope of the projects
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a 127-kilometer road linking Nigeria's commercial capital to the southwest hinterland, will undergo a complete overhaul. The project includes widening the carriageway from the current four lanes to ten lanes in sections, with concrete pavement designed to last 30 years. Specifically, the section from Ojota to Ogun State border will be expanded to ten lanes, while the remaining stretch to Ibadan will be eight lanes. The Fourth Legacy Highway, a 38-kilometer road connecting Abuja to Keffi, will be expanded to six lanes with modern drainage, streetlights, and pedestrian bridges. The highway will also feature three interchanges at Nyanya, Mararaba, and Keffi to ease traffic flow.
Contractors have been instructed to mobilize within 30 days, with completion timelines set at 36 months for the expressway and 24 months for the highway. The funding will come from a mix of federal allocations, infrastructure bonds, and public-private partnerships. The Ministry of Works has identified Julius Berger Nigeria PLC and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) as lead contractors for the expressway, while Reynolds Construction Company (RCC) will handle the highway.
Economic implications
These roads are not just asphalt and concrete; they are economic lifelines. The Lagos-Ibadan corridor handles over 70% of cargo traffic from Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, and the daily gridlock costs the economy an estimated N2 billion in lost productivity. According to the Nigerian Ports Authority, over 4,000 trucks traverse this route daily, often spending 48 hours to complete a journey that should take 4 hours. The expansion is expected to cut travel time between Lagos and Ibadan from four hours to under two hours, reducing fuel consumption by 30% and vehicle maintenance costs by 25%.
The Fourth Legacy Highway serves as a gateway to the Federal Capital Territory, linking Abuja to Nasarawa and Benue states. Improved connectivity will ease access to agricultural produce from the Middle Belt and reduce post-harvest losses, which currently stand at 40% for perishable goods. The Nasarawa State Agricultural Development Project reports that over 200,000 metric tonnes of tomatoes, peppers, and vegetables are lost annually due to poor road conditions. The new highway is expected to cut transit time from Lafia to Abuja from 5 hours to 2 hours, potentially saving farmers N50 billion annually.
A brief history of delays
Past administrations have attempted to fix these roads. The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was concessioned to Bi-Courtney in 2009, but the deal collapsed amid legal disputes over tolling rights and compensation. Julius Berger and other contractors have done piecemeal repairs, but funding shortfalls and poor project management left the road in a state of perpetual disrepair. Between 2010 and 2022, only 45% of the expressway was rehabilitated, with sections like Sagamu to Ibadan remaining a death trap. The Fourth Legacy Highway, originally built in the 1980s, has not seen major rehabilitation in over 20 years. In 2019, the Federal Government awarded a N12 billion contract for its dualization, but only 10% of the work was completed before funds dried up.
What this means for commuters
For the average Nigerian, these projects promise relief from daily misery. The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, notorious for 12-hour traffic jams, will feature dedicated bus lanes and service roads to separate local from through traffic. The expressway will also have 10 toll plazas with electronic payment systems to reduce bottlenecks. The Fourth Legacy Highway will include toll plazas with electronic payment systems to reduce bottlenecks. The government has promised that toll rates will be capped at N500 for cars and N1,000 for trucks, with discounts for frequent users.
However, commuters should brace for disruption during construction. Partial closures and diversions will be inevitable, and the government has pledged to deploy traffic management teams to minimize chaos. The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will deploy 200 personnel daily along the routes, and alternative routes like the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway and the Abuja-Lokoja highway will be upgraded as diversions.
Environmental and safety considerations
The projects incorporate modern standards. Drainage systems will reduce flooding, which has plagued both roads during rainy seasons. The expressway will have 50 culverts and 12 bridges to channel water away. Solar-powered streetlights will enhance night safety, with 1,000 units planned for the expressway and 500 for the highway. Crash barriers and speed bumps will be installed at accident-prone spots. The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway alone records over 200 fatal crashes annually, according to the FRSC, and the redesign aims to cut that number by half by reducing sharp curves and adding emergency lay-bys.
Noise barriers will be erected near residential areas, and the contractors are required to plant 10,000 trees along the routes to offset carbon emissions. Environmental impact assessments have been conducted, and the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA) will monitor compliance.
Funding and oversight
The N1.3 trillion price tag raises questions about fiscal discipline. Nigeria's debt-to-GDP ratio is already 38%, and critics worry these projects could strain public finances. The government insists that the infrastructure bonds will be backed by toll revenues, which are projected to generate N200 billion annually once both roads are operational. The Debt Management Office has approved the issuance of N500 billion in infrastructure bonds, with the balance coming from the 2025 budget and PPP contributions from contractors.
To ensure accountability, the Ministry of Works will deploy independent project supervisors and publish monthly progress reports on a dedicated website. The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission will oversee the PPP components, and the Bureau of Public Procurement will audit all contracts. A project steering committee, chaired by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, will meet quarterly to review milestones.
Summary paragraph
The approval of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway reconstruction and Fourth Legacy Highway expansion marks the largest single road investment by the Tinubu administration. The projects aim to address decades of neglect on two of Nigeria's most important highways, with potential to unlock significant economic gains by reducing travel times and lowering logistics costs.
Regional and political context
Tinubu's decision comes amid growing pressure to deliver tangible infrastructure ahead of the 2027 elections. Both roads pass through politically sensitive areas: the Lagos-Ibadan corridor is in Tinubu's southwest stronghold, where he won 58% of the vote in 2023, while the Fourth Legacy Highway serves the north-central region where the president's support is weaker, averaging 35%. Analysts see the projects as an attempt to build national goodwill and shore up support in key swing states like Nasarawa and Ogun.
The approvals also align with the African Continental Free Trade Area, which requires efficient transport networks to facilitate cross-border trade. Nigeria's poor road infrastructure has been a major barrier to realizing AfCFTA benefits, with logistics costs accounting for 40% of product prices, compared to 10% in developed economies.
Next steps
Contractors are expected to begin mobilization in February. The first phase will focus on the most degraded sections: the Sagamu-Ibadan stretch of the expressway (45 kilometers) and the Nyanya-Mararaba segment of the highway (12 kilometers). The government has warned that funds will be released in tranches, subject to performance milestones, with the first tranche of N200 billion expected in March.
For now, Nigerians can only hope that this time, the promises translate into reality. The road to progress is paved with good intentions, but it must also be paved with concrete.