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The Federal Government has earmarked N2.47 trillion in the 2026 budget for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 124 roads considered critical to Nigeria’s economic activities.

An analysis of the 2026 budget shows the road projects are spread across both northern and southern Nigeria, targeting key transport corridors that support agriculture, trade and the movement of goods. Analysts say improving these routes could reduce logistics costs, enhance market access and stimulate economic growth.

Among the priority projects is the 105-kilometre road linking Borno and Kano states, for which the government has allocated N13.3 billion for dualisation. The project is expected to improve the transportation of agricultural produce from Borno, Yobe, Jigawa and Bauchi states to Kano, the commercial hub of the North-West.

Next is the Lokoja-Abuja Road, which serves as a major gateway between the North and the South. The road is divided into two sections, both of which will cost the sum of N12.6 billion for construction and rehabilitation.

Another important road that the Federal Government is embarking on this year is the Enugu-Port Harcourt Road, targeted at linking the South-East to the South-South, connecting major industrial, commercial and logistics hubs. The road, divided into sections III and IV, is expected to cost N19.6 billion.

The government is also planning to rehabilitate the Gbagi-Apa-Owode Road in Badagry, which is aimed at connecting communities in Badagry to the Owode/Seme border with the Republic of Benin. The 30.6-kilometre road, which is expected to boost cross-border trade and movement and lower logistics costs for businesses, will cost N4.2 billion.

The government has also earmarked N1.4 billion for the construction of access roads linking the Second Niger Bridge to both Onitsha in Anambra State and Asaba in Delta State.

The Kano–Katsina Road is one of the most important highways in northern Nigeria, connecting two major commercial centres and serving as a gateway to the Niger Republic. The Federal Government plans to spend N23.6 billion for the dualisation of the critical road.

‘You know, the road links Kano’s markets with Katsina and neighbouring Niger Republic, supporting domestic and cross-border trade. Farmers of crops like sorghum, millet, groundnuts, onions, rice and tomatoes can easily find a ready market in Kano. Infrastructure can be an enabler for most of the roads in the 2026 budget’, said an emerging markets analyst, Ike Ibeabuchi.

The Federal Government is also funding the Aba-Owerri-Ikot Ekpene Road, a strategic economic corridor linking Akwa Ibom, Abia and Imo states. It connects major commercial, industrial and agricultural centres in the South-South and South-East, making it one of the region’s most important highways. The government will spend N7.7 billion on the road, which will create a ready market for Aba shoe makers.

The government will likewise spend N1.4 billion to rehabilitate Ikorodu-Shagamu Road, which serves as an alternative route to the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to boost trade and industries. The government also plans to spend N1.4 billion to repair Iganmu Bridge in Lagos. Economists say the bridge will connect the Lagos port corridor with the rest of the city.

Moreover, there is a plan to construct rural farmers’ feeder roads in Ikirun, Kwara State, at the cost of N1.75 billion. The road, analysts say, will connect farming communities with markets and processing centres while reducing post-harvest losses.

Similarly, there is N3.5 billion set aside for the upgrade of Ekiti Cargo Airport, N7 billion for the construction and rehab of Abeokuta-Ibooro Road, as well as N4.2 billion for Ibi Bridge construction in Taraba State to connect Ibi with communities across the Benue River.

About N7 billion has been set aside for the construction of Kano-Dayi Road to serve farming communities and link them to Kano. Also, N4.2 billion will be used for the rehabilitation of Kunya-Kanya-Barbura-Mutum Road in farming communities of Jigawa State, while N6.3 billion is devoted to the rehab of FCET New Site-Bagwai-Gwarzo Road in Kano.

The government is equally setting aside N25.2 billion for the construction of the four sections of Ota-Idiroko Road, including N3.5 billion for the dualisation of Bende-Ohafia Road with four bridges.

The Federal Government intends to spend N3.5 billion for the rehabilitation of Kabba in Kogi State (Iyamoye – Omuo – Ekiti – Ikole – Ifaki-Ado Ekiti (Omuo), with a view to linking these communities. Another N7 billion is earmarked for washout sections of Rivers, Delta and Akwa Ibom states, while N17.8 billion serves for the dualisation of phases 1 & 2 of the Benin-Akure-Ijesha Road.

Again, the sum of N14 billion is budgeted for the Kano Bypass, while N12.6 billion is earmarked for the rehab of the Onitsha-Owerri Road to make trading between Onitsha and Imo and Abia states easy.

The PUNCH found that if the budget is implemented religiously, there will be appreciable growth in Nigeria’s infrastructure stock, estimated at 30 per cent to 35 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product. This level falls far below the international benchmark of 70 per cent recommended by the World Bank for middle-income and growing economies.

The ex-Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Olawale Edun, disclosed that Nigeria has a $14 billion annual infrastructure investment gap.

The Alvin Report says decades of underinvestment in infrastructure have led to the present predicament, and with Nigeria’s population growing by about three per cent annually, the infrastructure deficit could balloon to about $20 billion–$25 billion by 2035.

‘Nigeria risks slower growth, higher poverty, and reduced competitiveness if it does not close this gap’, the report warned,

According to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group, Nigeria’s weak physical and technological infrastructure continues to erode its competitiveness relative to peer economies (see Figure 1). It added that data reveal significant gaps in basic infrastructure, such as unreliable power supply, inadequate transport networks, and limited logistics capacity, which raise business costs and constrain productivity.

‘These shortcomings have discouraged investment, undermined efficiency, and left Nigeria lagging behind countries that have modernised their infrastructure to drive competitiveness and economic growth.

A consultant economist, Chukwunonso Iheoma, is worried that the money will not all be released, stressing that such a situation will be another missed opportunity for Africa’s fourth biggest economy.

‘It is not just about how much is budgeted; it is how much is released. We have been struggling with the implementation of the budgets since this administration came to power.

‘Right now, the 2025 budget is still being implemented. So, tell me, when will this budget be implemented? There is no guarantee that half of the budget will be implemented’.

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The Canadian province of Ontario has opened applications for its newly introduced Workforce Priority Stream, creating a fresh pathway for eligible foreign workers seeking permanent residence through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP).

The province announced that, effective August 4, 2026, eligible foreign nationals can now submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) through Ontario’s e-Filing Portal, provided they have a qualifying job offer from an eligible employer in the province.

According to a post shared on the Canada Visa X account on Wednesday, the new immigration stream is structured into three categories: one for higher-skilled workers, another for lower-skilled workers, and a third for self-employed physicians registered to practise in Ontario and eligible to bill the province’s public health insurance plan, the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).

To be considered for provincial nomination, applicants must create an EOI linked to a qualifying job offer submitted by an eligible employer through the OINP Employer Portal.

Although the Workforce Priority Stream was officially launched on June 26, 2026, candidates could not enter the selection pool until the e-Filing Portal became operational this week.

Ontario said all active EOIs will be assessed under a points-based ranking system introduced on July 20, 2026, with invitations to apply to be issued through periodic invitation rounds.

The province explained that each EOI will remain valid for up to 12 months. Applicants who do not receive an invitation within that period will be required to submit a new Expression of Interest to remain eligible for future draws.

Once invited, candidates will have 17 calendar days to submit a complete application, while their employers must apply for approval of the offered position within 14 calendar days of the invitation.

Successful nominees under the job-offer categories will receive a provincial support letter, enabling them to apply for a federal work permit while their permanent residence applications are being processed.

Ontario also noted that applicants under the Higher-Skilled Worker Stream and the Self-Employed Physician Stream may qualify for the Enhanced Provincial Nominee Program linked to Canada’s Express Entry system, potentially allowing for faster permanent residence processing.

The Workforce Priority Stream is the first immigration pathway introduced under Ontario’s restructured OINP after the province closed all existing streams on May 30, 2026, as part of a broader overhaul of its immigration program.

The provincial government said additional pathways, including a Priority Healthcare Worker Stream, an Entrepreneur Stream and an Exceptional Talent Stream, will be rolled out during the second phase of the OINP modernisation initiative.

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Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 8 Division Garrison have rescued 14 kidnapped victims and recovered 281 rustled livestock following an operation against bandits in Shagari Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

A security source familiar with the operation disclosed the development to journalists in Sokoto on Wednesday.

The source, who requested anonymity, said the troops responded swiftly to a distress call on Tuesday after bandits attacked Horo Birni Village and abducted several residents while rustling livestock.
According to the source, the troops intercepted the bandits as they were moving the kidnapped victims and the stolen animals, forcing them to abandon their captives and flee.
The operation led to the successful rescue of all 14 victims and the recovery of 281 livestock.

The source attributed the success of the operation to the troops’ prompt response and effective collaboration among security agencies.
“The troops are always battle-ready to tackle all forms of criminality in the country but need sustained community support and vigilance,” the source said.

In a related development, operatives of the Enugu State Police Command have rescued four kidnap victims during separate operations in Enugu and neighbouring Benue State, while recovering the body of another victim who was allegedly killed by his abductors.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said the rescues were carried out through coordinated intelligence-led operations involving police operatives, the Nigerian Army, the Enugu State Forest Guards, neighbourhood watch personnel, vigilante groups and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
One of the operations led to the rescue of two brothers who were abducted at Ezimo-Ulo in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State.
According to Ndukwe, operatives from the Udenu Police Division, the Anti-Kidnapping Section of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), the Distress Response Squad (DRS) and the Orukam Police Division of the Benue State Police Command tracked the kidnappers to Ikele in Owukpa Community, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The operation, which also leveraged the Inspector-General of Police’s Handshake Patrol initiative, culminated in a gun battle that forced the kidnappers to flee with suspected gunshot wounds, allowing the victims to be rescued safely.

Security operatives recovered 15 rounds of live ammunition, the victims’ Android phones and car keys, other mobile phones and accessories, a bottle containing substances suspected to be hard drugs and related paraphernalia, clothing items and ₦11,800 from the kidnappers’ hideout.
The victims were later debriefed and reunited with their family.

In a separate operation, operatives of the Umabor Police Division, working with the Anti-Kidnapping Section of the VCRU, the Enugu State Forest Guards and neighbourhood watch personnel, rescued two other victims who had been kidnapped at Amukpa Village in Ogbozara Community, Nsukka Local Government Area.

Police, however, said another victim did not survive the ordeal. His decomposing body was recovered from a forest, where investigators believe he died from gunshot wounds inflicted by the kidnappers while in captivity.
Ndukwe said investigations were ongoing and that security operatives had intensified efforts to track down the fleeing suspects involved in both incidents.