Federal Ministry of Works

Nov

2025

LATEST PRESS

95% OF NIGERIANS DEPEND ON ROAD TRANSPORT — PERMANENT SECRETARY

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Engr. Olufunsho Adebiyi, FNSE, has disclosed that approximately 95 percent of Nigerians rely on road transport for their movement and the transportation of goods and services across the country.

Engr. Adebiyi made this known, while delivering his Address at the 30th Meeting of the National Council on Works, which opened today, 3rd November 2025, at the Adetiloye Hall, Trade Fair Complex, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State.

He explained that despite the development of other modes of transportation such as rail, air, and water, road transport remains the dominant means of mobility in Nigeria — a situation that places enormous pressure on the nation’s road infrastructure. “The resultant effect is heavy traffic volume and rapid deterioration of our pavements caused by heavy-duty vehicles and cargo movements,” he stated.

The Permanent Secretary emphasised that the completion and effective utilisation of the national rail network would significantly reduce road congestion, improve safety, and enhance economic efficiency. “If rail transport becomes fully operational and reliable, many Nigerians would prefer to travel by train. It is cheaper, safer, faster, and less stressful,” he disclosed.

Engr. Adebiyi expressed appreciation to the Governor of Ekiti State, His Excellency, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, for hosting the milestone event and for the warm hospitality extended to delegates. He noted that holding the Council meeting in Ado Ekiti was symbolic, as it provides an opportunity to showcase the state’s infrastructure development strides.

He also lauded the Honourable Minister of Works, Sen. (Engr.) David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, and the Honourable Minister of State for Works, Bello M. Goronyo, Esq., for their exceptional leadership and untiring commitment to improving the nation’s road network, ensuring transparency in project implementation and management, and upholding professional standards in engineering practice.

The theme of the 30th National Council on Works, “Discipline, Transparency, and Innovation in Engineering Practice,” underscores the Federal Government’s resolve to entrench integrity, accountability, and creativity in infrastructure management and delivery.

According to Engr. Adebiyi, the theme reflects the nation’s commitment to ensuring value for money in public projects through ethical practices, openness in procurement, and the adoption of modern technologies to achieve durable and sustainable infrastructure.

He further called on all delegates and other stakeholders to engage in constructive deliberations during the Technical Sessions to develop practical strategies that will enhance service delivery, strengthen institutional capacity, and promote economic diversification through efficient road networks.

The meeting brought together Commissioners for Works from all the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Permanent Secretaries, Directors, representatives of professional bodies, contractors, and other key stakeholders in the works and infrastructure sectors.

In her remarks, the Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Works, Mrs. Emily I. Sounde, also expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Government and good people of Ekiti State for hosting this important national event in such a calm, secure, and beautiful environment.

She described Ekiti State as “a wonderful land, where nature’s beauty meets tranquility,” noting that the hospitality extended to delegates made the state a truly fitting venue for this year’s Council meeting.

Mrs. Sounde emphasised that the National Council on Works remains a veritable platform for formulating policies and strategies that guide the growth and performance of Nigeria’s infrastructure sector.

She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to evidence-based policy formulation, robust data systems, continuous research, and stakeholder engagement — all in line with national priorities and global best practices. She encouraged delegates to use the opportunity of the forum to evaluate current policies, identify implementation gaps, and propose actionable strategies to improve service delivery and sustainability in the works sector.

The Director further commended the Honourable Ministers of Works, the Permanent Secretary, and all delegates for their leadership, vision, and dedication to advancing the nation’s infrastructure development.

Speaking earlier, the Director of Civil Engineering, Ekiti State Ministry of Works, Engr. B. J. Oke, reaffirmed the State Government’s commitment to ethical governance, transparent procurement processes, and sustainable infrastructure delivery.
He stated that “As we commence this important engagement, let us approach our deliberations with discipline in thought, transparency in purpose, and innovation in action — for these remain the enduring foundations of progress in Nigeria’s engineering and works sector,” he stressed.

The 30th National Council on Works will continue in Ekiti State tomorrow through Friday, with active participation from Commissioners of Works and Infrastructure Development, Permanent Secretaries, Directors, Engineers, Contractors, and other key stakeholders from across the Federation.

Mohammed A. Ahmed
Director, Press and Public Relations.
3rd November 2025.

Jul

2024

FG TERMINATES CONTRACTS WITH MOTHERCAT, DANTATA & SAWOE AND RCC COMPANIES FOR NON-PERFOMANCE ON THE DUALIZATION OF OBAJANA-BENIN ROAD; SECTIONS II, III AND IV, WARNS THAT GOING FORWARD, ALL FUNDED BUT NON-PERFORMING CONTRACTS SHALL BE TERMINATED The Federal Ministry of Works has terminated contract numbers 6136, 6137 and 6138 with Mothercat Ltd, Dantata & Sawoe Construction Ltd and RCC Ltd respectively. The projects affected by this termination are the dualization of Obajana - Benin road, section II (Okene - Auchi) in Kogi/Edo State; the dualization of Obajana - Benin road, section III (Auchi - Ehor) in Edo State and the dualization of Obajana - Benin road section IV (Ehor - Benin) in Edo State. The termination of the said contracts became necessary in view of the inordinate delay of the affected companies in job performance and their failure, neglect and or refusal to fulfil their contractual obligations as required by the Standard Conditions of Contract and this has affected the timely completion of the projects and thus resulted in the expiration of the contracts by effluxion of time. The projects which were awarded on 3rd December 2012 were advertently abandoned by the contractors and no genuine commitment or good faith was shown towards executing the projects after accepting the considerations offered by the Federal Government and thereby exposing the road users to untold hardship due to the deplorable condition of the projects. The Honourable Minister has therefore directed the engineers in charge to take necessary steps to enter upon both the site and the works and take the same over from the affected companies. He further directs the engineers concerned to, upon doing the needful, arrange with the affected companies for a joint measurement of work so far done by the said companies preparatory to taking over the sites from the said companies, and this directive is without prejudice to the exercise of other rights of Federal Government under the contract. He warns that the Federal Ministry of Works under his watch will not condone acts of unseriousness and sabotage by contractors whose plan is to become a clog in the wheel of progress of the Renewed Hope administration which is determined to change the ugly narrative of Nigeria's road infrastructure. He further warns that going forward, the government will not hesitate in terminating all projects that are funded but are non-performing. ...

Jun

2024

COASTAL HIGHWAY: TINUBU TO FLAG-OFF SECTIONS THREE AND FOUR IN CROSS RIVER TO AKWA IBOM As part of the commitment of the Tinubu Administration to sustain its on-going infrastructural development drive in line with its Renewed Hope Agenda. The Federal Government has announced plans to commence the flag-off of the next phase of the Lagos- Calabar Coastal highway from Cross River to Akwa Ibom. The Minister of Works Senator (Engr) David Umahi disclosed this at the stakeholder’s engagement meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state on 29, June 2024. According to the Minister of Works, “we are here to introduce sections three and four of the famous Lagos- Calabar Coastal Highway. "We started and awarded section one which started in Lagos and terminated at deep port in Lagos and is at 474 km "There is section two that is starting at Lekki Deep Sea Port and taking it to the famous Dangote Refinery" The Honourable Minister added that the President has graciously directed that sections three and four must start at Cross River and stop at Akwa Ibom. Senator Umahi recalled that the Senate President once addressed the people of Akwa Ibom state, and he assured them that "sections three and four will start on this part of the coastal highway and this is the fulfilment of that assurance, and we are happy doing this”. He added. Speaking further, the Minister explained "that section three has 27km on Akwa Ibom land 38km on Cross River State. While section four is entirely on Akwa Ibom that is 80km. When you add 27km and 80km, you have 107km, so you are benefiting through maximizing this coastal highway. "When we complete the procurement process and award these sections three and four, work will start in many sub- sections of this sections all at the same time. "Tinubu is a man who matches his words with actions. So, we are happy with the level of commendations and support we receive from Nigerians for the so many benefits of the coastal highway Speaking at the event, the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio expressed his appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for listening to his plea to start sections three and four of the coastal highways in Cross River State to Akwa Ibom. He called on the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno to give maximum support to the federal government and buy into the coastal highway project. The former governor also called on the Minister of works to engage the services of engineers from the state on the project. Also speaking at the event, the Akwa Ibom state governor assured the stakeholders that the state will cooperate with the federal government to ensure the completion of the project. ...

Jun

2024

WORKS MINISTER LAMENTS ON THE ATTITUDE OF EXPATRIATE CONTRACTORS ON ROAD PROJECTS. PLEDGE TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL CONTRACTORS The Federal government has announced plans to terminate the contracts of contractors carrying out the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Lokoja-Benin road for delaying the contracts and not showing commitment to the plight of the people. The Minister of Works, Senator (Engr) David Umahi, disclosed this at the stakeholder’s engagement meeting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom on 29 June,2024 According to the Minister, while lamenting over the attitude of some unpatriotic expatriate contractors in the country warned that any contractor who continues to behave in that way will have his contract terminated. While inspecting projects sites along Calabar -Itu road on his way to Cross River State from Uyo, Senator Umahi was physically worried about the agony Nigerians go through over the poor condition of the road. He called on Julius Berger to return to the project site immediately to avoid sanctions from the ministry. "We are going to do everything to support local contractors, we are going to encourage them, build them so that they can compete with the expatriate contractors, but more pains no more gains" he said. The Minister thanked President Tinubu for his desire to alleviate the suffering of our people by carrying out massive infrastructural rehabilitation in the country. ...

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Nov

2025

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Feb

2022

FG ADDRESSING ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS –FASHOLA

· As Minister hands over 1.05 KM internal road rehabilitated by Ministry in University of Abuja

· “It used to be one of the worst roads we have in this campus, especially during the Rainy Season; now it has become the best”, says VC

The Federal Government is working assiduously in addressing the road infrastructure challenges in tertiary institutions across the country, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN, has said. Fashola, who spoke in Abuja, Thursday during the formal commissioning and handover of the 1.05 kilometre road project rehabilitated in the University of Abuja by his Ministry, said Federal Government’s intervention in the development of infrastructure in the nation’s tertiary institutions was aimed at boosting the quality of Education in the institutions.

The Minister, who was represented at the occasion by the Federal Controller of Works in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Engr. Usman Yakubu, said the intervention was giving students renewed hope and enthusiasm with regards to attending classes where Federal Government has restored motorability to the hitherto defective roads.

He disclosed that under the Tertiary Institutions Road Intervention Programme initiated by his Ministry, the Federal Government is currently working on 76 road projects in selected Federal tertiary institutions spread across the nation.

"We have successfully intervened in the internal road networks of 46 Federal Tertiary Institutions and handed over 29 of the roads as at 2021 and we now have another 17 ready to be handed over while we are currently attending to 30 roads in similar institutions across the country making a total of 76”, the Minister said.

According to him, "It is undebatable that the quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment and those who doubt it should simply listen to some of the feedbacks from the students of the schools where this type of intervention has taken place."

Fashola said the summary of all the feedbacks from students and Management staff of the University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, had demonstrated that the gap of the nation's infrastructure needs was steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs and construction on the major highways and schools.

The Minister described the construction of the internal roads by Federal Government in the nation’s tertiary institutions as a pointer to the administration’s progressive ideal of improving the human condition by supporting Education.

In his response, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Abdulrasheed Na’ Allah, thanked President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister for selecting the University of Abuja to benefit from the special Government’s intervention in infrastructure development saying the road used to be the worst in the institution especially during the Rainy Season.

“It is a very important road in the university, it used to be one of the worst roads we have in this campus especially during the Rainy Season and now it has become the best. We give thanks to Federal Ministry of Works and Housing”, the Vice Chancellor said.

According to him, “Tertiary institutions cannot achieve their greatness if infrastructure in the schools is not developed. With this internal road completed and handed over, Nigerians will be proud because it is a unity institution and belongs to all irrespective of your region. The internal road is very important and it will serve as a boost for sustainable social, academic and economic well-being of the students as well as the staff of the institute”, he said.

In his remarks, the institution’s Head of Works and Services, Engr. Joshua Musa, thanked the Ministry for the project saying that the road was a death trap before its rehabilitation. He said, “it is a big blessing to the entire students and management of the institute. We are grateful and very happy that the road has been fixed. Before now, we have recorded a lot of bike accidents on the road because of its bad nature”, he explained.

Reiterating Engr. Musa’s position, the Registrar of the School, Mallam Yaya Ibrahim, declared, “We are fortunate to be able to witness the handing over of this project and we thank President Muhammadu Buhari and the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing for making this to happen. It is a laudable project and will ease our movement within the school premises”.

SPEECHES

Sep

2021

REMARKS BY THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SESSION AND PERMANENT SECRETARY, FEDERAL MINISTRY OF WORKS AND HOUSING, ALHAJI BABANGIDA HUSSAINI

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary and Chairman of the session, Babangida Hussaini welcomed Permanent Secretaries to the 27th Meeting of the National Council on Works. He thanked the Host, His Excellency Sen. Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State, his executive team members and good people of Bauchi State for providing the enabling environment for the successful hosting of the event.

He also thanked the technical session for the meticulous work done on the memoranda presented for the consideration of the 27th meeting of the National Council meeting on Works.

He explained that the theme of this year’s National Council on Works “Infrastructure Delivery, the Maintenance Economy, and National Prosperity” is carefully chosen as a new concept to explore ways of providing massive infrastructure with the support of alternative sources of funding to complement Government efforts and reduce overdependence on Government for infrastructure delivery.

He added further that the focus of the Theme is on policy formulation and implementation, Institutional Strengthening, alternative sources of funding, enhancing professionalism in road infrastructure development, maintenance as an emerging economy in infrastructure economy, tolling and weigh bridges as a catalyst in road infrastructure development and sustainability, Local Content and Alternative technology in road infrastructure development and skill development and job creation for national prosperity.

He charged members to ensure that the outcome of the meeting, meets the standard and expectations of the Council so that the nation can harness the benefits of accelerated infrastructure development.