The Minister of Works, Engr David Umahi, has announced that President Bola Tinubu has approved the design of the Sokoto-Badagry Highway project as part of initiatives to enhance economic diversification in Nigeria. Engr Umahi made this revelation during an inspection of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project and the federal government’s gazetted right-of-way in Lagos.
According to Engr Umahi, the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road project is slated to be completed within the tenure of President Tinubu’s administration, encompassing two terms. He reiterated the government’s commitment to bolstering economic diversification through the development of road infrastructure, thereby facilitating the growth of economic corridors conducive to business expansion.
The Sokoto-Badagry Highway project spans 1,000 kilometers and has received design approval under the administration’s Renewed Hope agenda. Engr Umahi also highlighted another forthcoming road project connecting Enugu to Cameroon, Otukpo to Benue, and Nasarawa, aimed at fostering regional connectivity and trade facilitation.
Moreover, the federal government is dedicated to constructing coastal roads across various regions of the country, including the South West, South-South, North West, and North Central, as part of its legacy projects. Engr Umahi emphasized that these initiatives will directly impact the economy by attracting foreign investors, enhancing return on investment (ROI), fostering budding entrepreneurship, and enticing multinational corporations to invest in Nigeria’s economic epicenter, thereby contributing to GDP growth.
Observers have described the approval of the Sokoto-Badagry Highway project as one that signifies a concerted effort by the government to prioritize infrastructure development and economic diversification, laying the foundation for sustained growth and prosperity in Nigeria.
