ABUJA, Nigeria — President Bola Tinubu has approved the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway with reinforced concrete pavement, a decision that vindicates the Ministry of Works’ long-standing advocacy for durable concrete technology on major highways.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the presidential approval on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja, stating that the decision came after sections of the expressway began deteriorating less than five years after rehabilitation. The road, which is 135 kilometres by two carriageways, was completed by Julius Berger but has been failing badly on the Ibadan axis, becoming very dangerous for vehicular movement.
“The answer is to reconstruct it using reinforced concrete pavement that will last between 50 and 100 years, maintenance-free,” Umahi said, adding that the existing asphalt pavement had repeatedly failed despite maintenance efforts.
The reconstruction forms part of a broader infrastructure renewal programme that includes the extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway by an additional 400 kilometres, increasing the strategic road corridor from about 700 kilometres to approximately 1,100 kilometres. The President also approved the completion of the abandoned Ibi Bridge in Taraba State, the construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lau Bridge, and the dualisation of an additional 400 kilometres of the East-West Road.
The approvals follow the Federal Executive Council’s earlier ratification of the Full Business Case for the operation and maintenance concession of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway under the modified Swiss Challenge procurement framework. Under this arrangement, the road will be concessioned to Messrs Aspect Concession Limited, with the reconstruction of failed sections to be carried out using concrete pavement technology as directed by the President.
Umahi noted that the decision on concrete pavement was justified by the repeated failure of the asphalt pavement, which has required frequent repairs since its completion. He explained that the ministry had taken journalists and members of the National Assembly to inspect the deteriorating sections to demonstrate the urgency of the situation.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is one of Nigeria’s busiest highways, connecting the commercial hub of Lagos to the South-West and other parts of the country. Its reconstruction is expected to improve safety, reduce travel time, and facilitate the movement of goods and services across the region.
The concrete pavement technology, which is more durable and requires less maintenance than asphalt, has been advocated by the Ministry of Works as a sustainable solution for Nigeria’s major highways. The decision to adopt it for the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is seen as a significant step towards addressing the recurring challenges of road deterioration across the country.
