The Federal Government has unveiled a major shift in Nigeria’s road development strategy, announcing plans for “smart” highways fitted with CCTV cameras, solar-powered lighting and digital monitoring systems.
At the centre of the plan is a ₦150 billion extension of the Bodo-Bonny Road in Rivers State, approved under a Public-Private Partnership arrangement.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed the development during a meeting with the management of Nigeria LNG Limited.
According to him, the project has already received presidential approval and will be forwarded to the Federal Executive Council for final ratification.
He said the upgrade reflects a shift away from traditional road construction toward longer-lasting, technology-driven infrastructure.
The Bodo-Bonny expansion will be built using reinforced concrete technology, which officials say could last between 50 and 100 years and significantly reduce maintenance costs over time.
Beyond the road itself, Umahi said the government is planning to transform major highways into “smart economic corridors.
This includes installing solar-powered streetlights, planting trees along key routes, and introducing CCTV surveillance systems linked to monitoring centres.
He explained that the surveillance network is designed to improve security and emergency response, with the goal of cutting reaction times to incidents on highways to under 10 minutes.
The plan also includes rest areas, service stations, truck parks and logistics hubs along major corridors, aimed at reducing congestion and improving freight movement.
The government says land negotiations with host communities are already ongoing.
Umahi added that contractors have been instructed to prioritise cost savings for value-added features such as lighting and landscaping, while maintaining a strict 12-month completion timeline for the project.
He described the initiative as part of a broader push by the Tinubu administration to deliver infrastructure that is not just durable, but also economically productive.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Nigeria LNG Limited, Adeleye Falade, used the meeting to highlight efforts to promote cleaner energy, presenting a model of a compressed natural gas-powered vessel as part of ongoing innovation in transport and maritime systems.
The Bodo-Bonny Road remains a key strategic link to Bonny Island, home to major oil and gas facilities, including NLNG.
For years, poor access has forced heavy reliance on waterways for movement of goods and people.
Officials say the extension, combined with the new “smart” infrastructure features, signals a broader shift toward integrated transport systems meant to improve safety, efficiency and economic activity across the country.
