Federal Ministry of Works

Oct

2026

LATEST PRESS

GORONYO COMMENDS SOKOTO GOVERNOR FOR DONATING 10 HILUX VEHICLES TO STRENGTHEN SECURITY ALONG SOKOTO–BADAGRY SUPERHIGHWAY

The Honourable Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq., has commended the Governor of Sokoto State, Dr. Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, PhD, for donating 10 operational Toyota Hilux vehicles to strengthen security operations along the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway and other strategic infrastructure corridors.

The vehicles were formally commissioned and handed over to the Nigerian Army at the Headquarters of the 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Sokoto, on Thursday, October 8, 2026, by the Honourable Minister of State for Works, on behalf of the Honourable Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, CON, FNSE.
The donation is expected to enhance the operational capacity of military personnel and other security agencies responsible for protecting construction workers, contractors, equipment and host communities along the highway corridor.

Speaking during the ceremony, Goronyo described the donation as a demonstration of the Sokoto State Government’s commitment to national development and the successful implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its landmark infrastructure projects.

The Minister emphasised that the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway represents a long-standing national infrastructure vision that dates back several decades, with its conception traced to the era of former President Shehu Shagari in the 1970s. However, the vision remained unrealised for decades until the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, initiated the construction of the 1,068-kilometre highway in October 2024.

He described the project as a significant step towards translating a historic aspiration into tangible infrastructure that will connect communities, expand economic opportunities and strengthen national integration.

According to Goronyo, President Tinubu’s commitment to the project demonstrates the Federal Government’s determination to bridge critical infrastructure gaps and improve connectivity between northern and southern Nigeria.
He noted that the superhighway, which traverses Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states, is designed to facilitate the movement of people and goods, reduce transportation costs, stimulate trade, create employment and open up new economic opportunities along its route.

The Minister added that the highway would improve access to markets, schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services while supporting agriculture, commerce, industry and the development of communities across the corridor.
He stressed that the successful delivery of the project would require sustained commitment, effective coordination and cooperation among the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies, contractors and host communities.

Goronyo maintained that effective security remained essential to the timely and successful completion of the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway. He explained that the provision of operational vehicles would strengthen the mobility and response capabilities of security personnel deployed to safeguard the project and its surrounding communities.

The Minister highlighted other strategic infrastructure projects being undertaken by the Federal Government, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Calabar–Abuja/Trans-Saharan corridor, the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe corridor, the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano route and the Zaria–Gusau–Sokoto corridor.
He explained that these projects form part of the Federal Government’s broader commitment to developing an integrated road network capable of supporting commerce, strengthening inter-state connections and accelerating national economic growth.

Rt. Hon. Goronyo further noted that the use of continuously reinforced concrete pavement on the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway was intended to provide durable road infrastructure capable of serving Nigerians for decades. He added that complementary environmental and safety measures, including tree planting and solar-powered street lighting where provided for in the project, would contribute to environmental sustainability, visibility and road safety.

Goronyo commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their resilience, professionalism and sacrifices in protecting lives, property and critical national infrastructure. He acknowledged the difficult conditions under which security personnel operate and urged them to remain steadfast in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.

The Honourable Minister also expressed deep condolences to the Nigerian military over the reported loss of personnel in a bandit attack while on official duty the previous day. He described the loss as painful and extended his sympathy to the affected personnel, their colleagues and bereaved families, while praying for the peaceful repose of the departed and strength for their loved ones.

He further acknowledged the support of the National Security Adviser in addressing security challenges associated with the project, particularly through assistance and coordination aimed at strengthening security operations along the highway corridor.

Reaffirming his commitment to the Federal Government’s infrastructure development agenda, Goronyo said the Ministry of Works would continue to support the implementation of strategic projects under President Tinubu’s leadership, working in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure their successful delivery.

He expressed optimism that the continued implementation of the Federal Government’s development programmes would bring lasting benefits to Nigerians, while acknowledging the complementary role of the Sokoto State Government in supporting infrastructure development and security.

In his remarks, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Sokoto, Major General Bengba Paul Koughna, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government, the Federal Ministry of Works and the Sokoto State Government for the donation of the 10 Hilux vehicles.

The GOC noted that the vehicles would significantly enhance the operational mobility and response capabilities of troops deployed along the highway corridor, particularly across the approximately 440-kilometre section extending through Sokoto and Kebbi states.

He explained that troops conduct regular patrols and maintain multiple deployment points along the corridor, making the additional vehicles a valuable boost to their operational effectiveness.

He assured the Minister that the vehicles would be deployed appropriately to support security operations and protect construction workers, contractors, equipment and other stakeholders involved in the project.

The GOC also commended the representative of Hitech Construction Company, retired General Sa'ad Abubakar, for the company's involvement in the project.

The event was attended by retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Aliyu Garba, officials of the Federal Ministry of Works, representatives of the Sokoto State Government and other stakeholders.
The donation underscores the importance of sustained collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, security agencies, contractors and host communities in addressing security challenges and ensuring the safe and timely delivery of strategic infrastructure projects.

The Federal Ministry of Works reiterates its commitment to working with all relevant stakeholders to protect national infrastructure and advance the objectives of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda for sustainable economic growth and development.

Mar

2020

1.8km Loko – Oweto Bridge To Boost Economic Activities In Nigeria Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola SAN, has said that completion of the 1.8km Loko -Oweto Bridge in Nasarawa and Benue States will boost economic activities in Nigeria. He said this when he was on an inspection tour of the bridge construction site over the weekend. According to Fashola, the Loko- Oweto Bridge being a major strategic transport road connecting the Northern part of the country and all those coming from the Eastern part would develop into a vital economic route inclusive of transportation of agricultural produce. Fashola also said that the Oweto part of the bridge is in Benue state while Loko is in Nasarawa state, noting that the bridge would reduce the long hours that were normally spent on journeys from the East to the Federal Capital as well as the Northern part of the country. “This is a major impact on business reducing the cost of time and improving the ease of doing business,” Fashola said. The Minister, while stating that the Loko- Oweto Bridge also crosses River Benue disclosed that work was currently going on at the Second Niger Bridge. According to Fashola, the two major bridge interventions done by the Buhari administration would improve national integration, bring further co-existence and interaction among Nigerians. Walking on the bridge with journalists, Fashola said street lighting was a feature added to the bridge. He mentioned that the Ministry had to ensure the communities were connected to electricity for it to achieve the street lighting of the bridge, saying it has given the communities the privilege of enjoying electricity which they had lacked before the intervention on the road and bridge began. Minister of State for Works and Housing, Engr. Abubakar Aliyu, urged the Managing Director of Messrs Reynolds Construction Company Nigeria Limited (RCC), Nabeel Esawi, to employ a method that would fast track the completion and timely delivery of the link roads between Loko and Oweto to the bridge. The Federal Controller of Works , Nasarawa State, Engr. Taiwo Wasiu who conducted the Ministers and journalists round the bridge said that the Ministry would do the needful to make sure the bridge was completed and delivered at the right time. On behalf of the Loko community, the Emir of Loko, Alhaji Ahmed Sabo Umar, expressed appreciation to the Federal Government of Nigeria for the construction of the bridge and road network. He said that the bridge would enable his subjects to transport their farm produce safely to other communities as against paddling of canoes which was hazardous to their lives previously. He said that the bridge and road network had linked his community with other parts of the country, noting that motorists ply the route daily as construction was on-going. ...

Mar

2020

Fashola Hands Over Road To Federal Polytechnic Offa The Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN has handed over to the authorities of the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kwara State a 2.23 kilometres road in the institution which was rehabilitated by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on behalf of the Federal Government. The Minister who was represented by the Federal Controller of Works Kwara State, Engineer Wasiu Kunle Atitebi affirmed the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to bridge the gap in the infrastructural needs of the nation through the repairs, renewal and construction of roads on the highways and schools. Fashola observed that good roads would undoubtedly improve the condition of learning in schools which would translate into greater quality education. The Minister disclosed that there were forty three of internal road intervention projects in tertiary institutions across the country out of which eighteen had been completed. Earlier, the Rector of the Federal Polytechnic Offa, Dr. Lateef Ademola commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to the advancement of Nigeria by ensuring that internal roads in higher Institutions of learning were rehabilitated and provision of assistance to Institutions oflearning through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND)and other relevant bodies. He also appreciated the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Rji Fashola, SAN for his positive disposition towards the completion of the project. He said the road had subjected the staff and students of the Institution to excruciating pain in the past due to its deplorable condition. The Rector promised to ensure that the road was properly maintained by the Works department of the Polytechnic. In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Governing Council of the Intitution, Chief Oseloka Zikora said the road was vital to the Polytechnic in many ways, adding that its rehabilitation had saved the Staff and students of the Institution from some health hazards suffered in the past due to the profuse inhaling of dust before it was rehabilitated. The Students Union Leader of the Polytechnic, Abiola Azeez Babatunde expressed gratitude to the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing for removing the suffering of the students who according to him passed through a lot of stress in the past while passing through the road. ...

Mar

2020

FG Shuts Alaka Bridge Linking Eko Bridge In Lagos For Emergency Repairs The Federal Government on Tuesday night shut the Alaka Bridge linking Eko Bridge in Lagos for repairs to prevent its total collapse, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. NAN reports that officials from both Lagos State Ministry and Federal Ministry of Works and their Transportation counterparts converged on the bridge at about 9:15 p.m. on Tuesday for the emergency closure. The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Adedamola Kuti, told NAN in a telephone interview, that the emergency closure was to prevent total collapse of the bridge. “We are all here closing the Alaka to Costain portion of the Eko Bridge because some bearings are bad. “We just discovered that the bearings are broken and we are here to shut it down for the safety of motorists. “We are shutting it down now so that we can carry out full investigations on the extent of damage to the bearings to begin the repairs,’’ Kuti said. He explained that only Alaka flyover portion from Alaka to Costain section of the Eko Bridge was bad but from Costain Bus stop area beside the National Theatre is in good condition. The Controller said that the traffic regulatory agencies were on ground to ensure that impact of gridlock as a result of the closure was minimized when commuters use the road on Wednesday morning. He advised motorists going to Lagos Island to connect the Eko Bridge through the service lane at Alaka through Iponrin to Costain Bus Stop area to connect the bridge. He also advised use of the National Theatre, as alternative route to connect the Eko Bridge on the other side. (NAN) ...