Umahi: Lagos–Sokoto Superhighway To Transform Trade Across Six States

According to Ireporter Online, Works Minister Dave Umahi has revealed that the ongoing Badagry–Sokoto Superhighway is set to unlock business opportunities across six states, including Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, and Lagos. Speaking during an inspection of Section Three of the highway in Lagos, Umahi emphasized the project’s role as a strategic corridor to enhance trade, transport, and economic integration between northern and southern Nigeria.

Section Three spans 162.35 kilometres, beginning at Agbara in Ogun State and ending at the Ogun–Oyo boundary. Umahi reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering the project to world-class standards and assured that contractors would receive full support to ensure timely completion.

Engineer Aliu Oyewande highlighted key challenges, including security concerns along greenfield alignments and compensation for affected communities, noting that stakeholder engagement remains ongoing. Construction for Section Three, awarded in November 2025, is scheduled for 36 months, with initial earthworks and site clearance already underway.

The highway is being constructed with 200mm reinforced concrete pavement, similar to the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, designed to last up to 100 years, according to Musa Saidu, Director of Highways. Danny Aboud, Managing Director of Hitech, confirmed that work across multiple nationwide sections is progressing efficiently.

Umahi also reported that Phase One of the Lagos–Badagry Highway is 95% complete, with only 300 metres remaining. The three-lane, two-carriageway road will feature a train track and solar lighting, replacing the initially proposed cable lights. Section Two of the project, covering 22 kilometres, is already underway.

In addition, Umahi detailed plans for an underground tunnel linking Victoria Island to Snake Island, which will connect the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway to the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway via a flyover.

On the Third Mainland Bridge, Umahi confirmed that total rehabilitation covering 14 kilometres by 14 metres, including repainting, expansion joint replacement, and solar lighting, was completed at a cost of N43 billion. The bridge’s newly established CCTV centre, costing N2.5 billion, features surveillance boats, vehicles, solar panels, and monitoring facilities, making it the first of its kind in Nigeria. The minister clarified that some reports had exaggerated the CCTV centre’s cost.

Umahi reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to national infrastructure development and stressed that sustainable community engagement is essential for the successful delivery of major projects.