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.

Sep

2023

Happy Eid-El Maulud 1 I heartily convey my felicitations to the Muslim community across the nation on this year's festival of Eid-el- Maulud celebrated all over the world to mark the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) held this 27th September, 2023. 2. As you celebrate this memorable event, may the joy of the ceremony continue to strengthen our resolve to work for humanity and grant us the divine persuasion to bear the fruits of peace, honesty, generosity, self-discipline and sacrifice which are the virtues of Prophet Muhammad and the values of his teachings. At this moment of our trajectory, the power to overcome our challenges lies squarely on our will to cultivate the best leadership and followership attitudes as that will guarantee our hope in seeing the best even in difficult times. 3. The administration of our dear President, His Excellency, Sen. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR is on a decisive calculated mission to restore the dignity of our nation and this calls for sacrifice and best attitudes by all Nigerians no matter the language, faith or class. Be assured that the predicaments of the time will soon vanish and our dear country, Nigeria will soar again in the comity of nations. This is the vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President. 4. As we celebrate the birth of a virtuous Prophet, may God continue to bless your endeavours with resounding success. Please accept always the assurances of the esteemed regards and best wishes of my family, the management and staff of the Federal Ministry of Works. Sen. Engr. David Nweze Umahi, FNSE, FNATE, CON, GGCEHF Hon. Minister of Works ...

Sep

2023

FG, COREN Collaborate To Develop Nigerian Roads The FG and the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) have both met to discuss the way forward to develop Nigerian roads, the Minister of Works, H.E Sen. (Engr.) David Nweze Umahi CON represented the Ministry and presided over the meeting while the President and Chairman of Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) Engr. Prof Sadiq Zubair Abubakar, FNSE led the engineering team to the meeting, the deliberation was held at the Ministry of Works Headquarter in Mabushi, Abuja. The Minister in his remarks said “I want to involve COREN and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in our road construction. l have gone round three regions of Nigeria, I am very dissatisfied with the supervision of these construction works. It seems that it is only in the South West that there are very capable hands and hardworking Directors and controllers, notwithstanding, will put the same template to use in all the regions”. “We would like you to join us as COREN, there is no concrete road constructed in Ebonyi that has not lasted Seven years, our recommendation is that most of our highways are going to be a continuous reinforced highways, this is the vision of the Ministry” he added. Umahi further said “when growing up in engineering we use to have consultant, consultant would always know that if they compromised their certificate of practice will be withdrawn even at the ministry level, that is the kind of discipline we want to bring on our road infrastructure, there is no supervision in all our projects, like I said other than the South West. Henceforth every project is going to have one senior consultant later we can begin to have other junior ones, like surveyor, geotechnical and material engineers and other road engineers“. He enjoined COREN to join him in the propagation for the reintroduction of Concrete pavement in Nigeria. The Minister said that no road that was built in this country had lasted more than three to four years even in the Northern part of Nigeria, he said that the roads in the South East are collapsing even while still under construction. The design in the roads are mostly built below the flood plain and the rains comes, and they are washed away, in his words, the Minister said he counted 9 locations that have collapsed. The President of COREN in his reaction said “having listened to you carefully COREN and NSE will key into these new positions that you have mentioned, the lack of supervision you talked about, will be addressed, and we believe that needs to change totally, we will be able to give our own contribution in that respect”. He said “COREN has been restructured, we now have, six Regional offices, with Lagos as a special Region, and then the thirty six state offices with desk offices with seven departments, these will play key roles in this supervision, we have developed a protocol to engage our members. l believe we are going to play a positive role when we develop modalities on how this will be worked out“. “ln the aspect of seven professionals per project we are going to look at that and also contribute, the introduction of reinforced concrete, there is a ministerial committee with this ministry which have been working on the specification. l am the chairman of that committee with senior expert along with the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FERMA and others in the next one month we will make the submission and interim report to you, that should be the first point of engagement which will expand the horizon for us to this new agenda of concrete road pavement” he said. ...

Sep

2023

FG in Discussion with Hitech.....Yet to Award .....Lagos -Calabar Coastal Highway. The attention of the Ministry of Works has been drawn to information reported online by nairametrics.com crediting a statement to H.E, Sen. (Engr) David Nweze Umahi the Hon. Minister of works as saying that the: “FG Awards LAGOS -CALABAR COASTAL HIGHWAY TO HITECH”. This information is totally untrue and misleading. The general public is to please note and be well guided and for the RECORDS. The FG has only recently opened a maiden discussion with the Engineering company- HITECH on this project, a second meeting is being considered to further access the the possibility of the project being handled by them.The Ministry has not awarded any such Contract nor has signed any such Contract Agreement with any company in this regard. To this effect, media organizations are to please ensure their facts are duely authenticated with the Federal Ministry of Works before putting out incorrect information to the public. Let's be more thorough in our journalistic activities as the Ministry appreciates as always the cordial and positive reportage of the Ministry's Policies and Programs. ...

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Nov

2025

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May

2018

Minister Scores Osun NHP High

Minister of State 11 for Power,Works and Housing, Surv. Suleiman Hassan Zarma has expressed satisfaction over the quality and speed of work at the National Housing Programme (NHP)site located at Abere, Ede North Local Government Area of Osun State and commended the team leader, Arc Mrs Lola Onwubalili and her team for a good supervision and execution of the project.

Speaking after inspecting the project in continuation of his inspection tour of the Ministry’s projects in the South-West Zone, the Minister said the site is a “big success story”, adding that it is really a site to visit. He noted that “Osun NHP is near delivery and I can see active Nigerians on ground here”.

The 68 units housing comprise: 4 nos 1 bedroom, 44 nos 2 bedroom units and 20 nos 3 bedroom units including a 1 no Condominium block consisting 24 of 1,2, and 3 bedroom units

The Minister reiterated his stance against the building of perimeter fencing at the NHP sites, explaining that security is not about walling but about exploring other proactive measures to stay secured. According to him, “fencing is not in our thinking but think of other ways to secure the site”.

Zarma further explained that the essence of the National Housing Programme is to build communities that will integrate with one another both within and around the estates.

The Minister also expressed delight at the pace of work of the infrastructure projects at the site. These include: the water project which has attained 90 per cent completion, electricity and the road network which are on- going.

Team leader of the project, Mrs Lola Onwubalili described her success story commendation by the Minister as a result of dedicated contractors who worked tirelessly and obeyed supervising directives to deliver quality and timely projects and also the commitment of members of her team and the entire workforce.

She said the project is 75 per cent completed with a slight delay on the Condominium which is on the second floor already and hoped that in the next two months, the Condominium would be completed 8 out of the 12 contractors have already completed and handed over their houses while the remaining 4 are at various finishing stages.