The Federal Government has proposed a record ₦3.23 trillion for the construction, rehabilitation and repair of federal roads in the 2026 budget, representing a dramatic 489 per cent increase in capital spending on road infrastructure within two years.
The proposed allocation marks a sharp rise from the ₦548.56 billion earmarked for road projects in the 2024 budget and more than triples the ₦1.013 trillion provided to the Ministry of Works for 468 federal roads in 2025, underscoring a renewed fiscal focus on transport infrastructure.
Budget documents indicate that the proposed 2026 allocation is aimed at accelerating the completion of long-delayed highways, addressing deteriorating road corridors and advancing flagship road projects nationwide. The government has repeatedly said improved road infrastructure is central to reducing transport costs, boosting trade and supporting economic growth amid mounting concerns over the condition of key federal highways.
A review of the 2026 budget estimates presented to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu shows that ₦1.39 trillion has been proposed for the construction and provision of roads, while ₦285.62 billion is earmarked for rehabilitation and repair works under the Ministry of Works’ capital budget. An additional ₦1.56 trillion has been allocated for the construction and provision of infrastructure, bringing the ministry’s total capital spending envelope to about ₦3.24 trillion.
The ambitious proposal comes as the current administration intensifies efforts to complete 2,604 road projects inherited from previous governments.
Under the road construction and reconstruction component of the 2026 budget, ₦7.7 billion was allocated for the reconstruction of Sections I and II of the Abuja–Lokoja Road (Zuba–Abaji), while ₦4.9 billion was set aside for the completion of outstanding dualised sections of the same corridor, covering the remaining 86.6 kilometres. A further ₦4.2 billion was proposed for the reconstruction of the Koton-Karfi–Abaji Road on the Abuja-bound carriageway in Kogi State.
Significant funding was also proposed for the Kano–Maiduguri Road, with ₦13.3 billion allocated to Section I (Kano–Wudil–Shuarin), ₦4.2 billion to Section IV (Potiskum–Damaturu, including rehabilitation of failed sections), and ₦7 billion to Section V (Damaturu–Maiduguri). In addition, ₦7.01 billion was earmarked for the reconstruction of Section III of the Mubi–Maiduguri Road, covering the Madagali–Bama axis through Pulka and Gwoza.
The budget further provides ₦52.5 billion for Phase II of the Kano–Katsina Road dualisation, stretching from kilometre 74+100 to kilometre 152+655, while ₦23.8 billion was allocated for Phase I from Dawanau Roundabout in Kano to the Katsina State border. Another ₦6.31 billion was proposed for the dualisation and reconstruction of Section II of the Kano–Kwanar–Danja–Hadejia Road.
On the Lokoja–Benin corridor, the proposal includes ₦14 million each for Phase I sections covering Obajana–Okene, Okene–Auchi, Auchi–Ehor and Ehor–Benin City, alongside ₦14 million for rehabilitation works on the same route.
In the South-East and South-South, ₦11.9 billion was allocated for the rehabilitation of Section III of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Road (Enugu–Lokpanta), while ₦7.7 billion was proposed for Section IV from Aba to Port Harcourt. An additional ₦6.3 billion was earmarked for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Section II of the Enugu–Port Harcourt dual carriageway, covering Umuahia Tower to the Aba Township Rail/Road Bridge.
Other allocations include ₦12.6 billion for the reconstruction of the Ikorodu–Itoikin Road in Lagos, ₦5.6 billion for the rehabilitation of the Asaba–Agbor dual carriageway in Delta State, and ₦7 billion for emergency repair works on the Eko Bridge in Lagos. The budget also sets aside ₦70 million for the completion of Phase II of the Utor Bridge project in Delta State.
Rehabilitation works feature prominently across several states, with ₦700 million each allocated to roads including the Potiskum–Fika–Bajoga–Gombe Road, New Bussa–Kaima Road, Jega–Kwanar Sanagi–Kebbe–Gummi Road, Share–Pategi Road, Ibadan–Oyo Dual Carriageway, Ohan and Moro bridges on the Ilorin–Igbeti Road, Kabba–Ayere–Isua–Ipele Road, and Uturu–Isuikwuato–Akara Road, as well as multiple federal roads in Anambra, Jigawa, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Yobe and Cross River states.
Additional notable provisions include ₦14 billion for the construction and rehabilitation of the Wusasa–Jos–Turunku–Mararaban Jos Road in Kaduna State, ₦4.21 billion for the Agaie–Katcha–Barro Road in Niger State, ₦10.5 billion for the rehabilitation of the Katsina Ala–Takum Road, and ₦7.7 billion each for the construction of the Oju–Adum–Okuku Road in Benue State and the reconstruction of the Ijebu-Igbo–Ita Egba–Owonowen Road linking Ogun and Oyo states.
Beyond specific projects, the Ministry of Works proposed additional funding of ₦120 billion for ongoing projects in the South-South, ₦160 billion for the South-West, and ₦100 billion each for the South-East, North-East and North-Central, alongside ₦120 billion for the North-West. A further ₦600 billion was earmarked for new road projects across the six geopolitical zones, with ₦100 billion set aside as a contingency fund.
The proposal also reflects substantial external financing commitments, including ₦367.9 billion for multilateral and bilateral tied loans for the Lafia Bypass and the dualisation of the 9th Mile–Otukpo–Makurdi Road, as well as ₦157 billion in counterpart funding for the China Harbour Makurdi–9th Mile project.
Smaller provisions include ₦3.5 million for Servicom and hypersensitivity programmes and ₦2.1 million for coding and engraving of ministry equipment.
Overall, the 2026 Works budget outlines one of the most expansive road investment programmes in recent years, spanning reconstruction, rehabilitation, dualisation, emergency repairs and new projects nationwide. However, analysts note that effective project execution, timely release of funds and contractor performance will be critical if the ambitious allocations are to translate into completed highways rather than a growing stock of abandoned projects.
The proposal, which represents one of the largest single-sector allocations in the capital budget, is expected to face rigorous legislative scrutiny in the coming weeks, with lawmakers likely to examine project prioritisation, regional balance and the ministry’s capacity to deliver on its expanded road works programme.
