The federal government has approved road infrastructure contracts worth N4.2 trillion, covering major highways and bridges across Nigeria, including the second phase of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road. Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, disclosed this to newsmen yesterday in Abuja at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided by President Bola Tinubu.

According to Umahi, the projects are spread over several states, with a focus on enhancing connectivity, improving road safety, and supporting economic growth.

FEC also approved road construction projects worth N159.5 billion for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), targeting infrastructure development within the city and its satellite towns.

Minister of State for the FCT, Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure, disclosed the approvals during the post-FEC media briefing, where she detailed the major projects aimed at improving accessibility and urban development.

The federal government equally unveiled an ambitious plan to position the country’s creative and tourism sectors as key drivers of economic growth, with the potential to contribute at least $100 billion to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and creating two million jobs. Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, made this known to newsmen yesterday after the FEC meeting.

The contracts for the nationwide road infrastructure included new constructions, rehabilitation of deteriorating sections, and expansion of critical routes, with many projects shifting towards concrete pavement for durability.

The largest allocation went to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, with FEC approving N1.334 trillion for the construction of a 130-kilometre dual carriageway. This covers 65 kilometres in Lagos and Ogun states, and an additional stretch starting from Calabar through Akwa Ibom.

The project will be executed under an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) framework, with a 10-year maintenance plan.

FEC also approved N470.9 billion for the Delta State access road and N148 billion for the Anambra State access road to the Second Niger Bridge.

According to the minister, both roads will be constructed using concrete to ensure long-term resilience.

He explained, “Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Phase 2, Section 1) got N195 billion approval to undergo reconstruction under the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), focusing on improving traffic flow and reducing congestion along the busy corridor.

“The Abuja-Kano road project, previously handled by Julius Berger, has been restructured into two lots following contract termination, including Lot 1 (FCT-Niger boundary): Expanded by 5.71 kilometres towards Kogi State and Lot 3 (Kano section): extended by 17 kilometres.”

Umahi said the total length of the project was now 118 kilometres, with solar street lighting planned throughout. Section 1 will be built with concrete, while Section 3 will use asphalt.

The reconstruction of three sections of the Lokoja-Benin road will be done entirely with concrete for durability at N305 billion, including Obajana to Benin (Section I): N64 billion; Auchi to Edo (Section II): N110 billion; and Benin Airport area (Section III): N131 billion.

A contract worth N3.571 billion was approved for an extensive structural assessment of the Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge in Lagos. Umahi said this evaluation aimed to prevent further deterioration, building on findings from assessments conducted in 2009 and 2013, which identified progressive structural decay.

FEC also approved Ado-Ekiti–Igede Road Project (N5.4 billion) as part of a series of smaller road upgrades in Ekiti State to improve local connectivity and reduce travel time.

It approved N22 billion for the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway. The minister said the expressway will undergo rehabilitation to ease movement between Anambra and Imo states, and foster trade within the South-east region.

Musasa-Jos Route (Kaduna State) was approved at N18 billion to enhance road safety and reduce travel time between Kaduna and Plateau states.

Abia and Enugu States Road Project got N12.75 billion in a joint project that will focus on key sections within the budget limits, and address long-standing infrastructure gaps.

Umahi emphasised that most new projects, including the Lokoja-Benin and Abuja-Kano roads, will be constructed using reinforced concrete pavement instead of traditional asphalt.

He said, “Concrete roads are not only more durable but also cost-effective in the long run. In fact, the cost of these concrete projects is significantly cheaper than previous asphalt-based contracts rejected by some contractors.”

The minister addressed concerns about terminated contracts, particularly with Julius Berger, clarifying that the government has negotiated cost-saving measures while equipment from previous contractors will be repurposed to avoid unnecessary mobilisation costs.

Umahi also dismissed recent reports about fake companies being awarded contracts, and assured Nigerians that due diligence was followed in selecting credible contractors.

According to him, “We’ve resolved misunderstandings with key stakeholders, including media organisations, to ensure transparency. The companies handling these projects are legitimate and well-equipped.

“This is not just about roads; it’s about driving Nigeria’s economic transformation. We are committed to delivering durable, cost-effective infrastructure that will stand the test of time.”

FEC also approved road projects worth N159.5 billion for the FCT, focussing on infrastructure development within Abuja and its satellite towns.

The FCT minister of state detailed the five major projects aimed at improving accessibility and urban development during the post-FEC media briefing.

She said the projects included Bus Terminal Access Road, Mabushi, awarded to Messrs SETRACO Nigeria Limited at the cost of N30.97 billion, with a completion period of 18 months.

The council approved Arterial Road from Wuye District to Ring Road II, awarded to Messrs Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited at the cost of N62.5 billion, with a completion period of 20 months.

Bunkure stated, “Also approved is Kuje-Gwagwalada Dual Carriageway Construction to Messrs Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Limited at N7.49 billion; the rehabilitation of Old Keffi Road (Kado Village to Dei Dei), awarded to

Messrs Lubric Construction Company Limited at N26.87 billion, with a completion time of 18 months.

“There is also a contract for the construction of access road to Renewed Hope Cities and Estates (Kasana West District) to Messrs Lubric Construction Nigeria Limited in the sum of N31.66 billion, with a completion time of 18 months.”

The minister emphasised that the projects aligned with the FCT administration’s commitment to urban expansion, improved road networks, and enhanced connectivity across Abuja.

She said the contracts were awarded to reputable construction firms with track records of delivering quality infrastructure projects.

Bunkure assured residents that the projects would be completed within the stipulated timelines to enhance mobility and economic development in the capital city.

Equally on Monday, the federal government unveiled a plan to position Nigeria’s creative and tourism sectors as key drivers of economic growth, with the potential to contribute at least $100 billion to GDP and create over two million jobs.

The art, culture, tourism, and creative economy minister told the post-FEC media briefing that at the heart of the plan was the establishment of Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation (CTIC), a special-purpose vehicle designed to invest in and develop critical infrastructure for Nigeria’s creative and tourism industries.

The initiative, approved by the FEC, will operate under a public-private partnership (PPP) framework, and attract both local and international investors to support its ambitious goals.

“The CTIC is not just a project; it’s a transformative agenda,” Musawa stated.

“We aim to unlock the immense potential of Nigeria’s creative and tourism industries, enhance economic growth, and project Nigeria’s cultural soft power globally,” she added.

The minister outlined the government’s targets for the CTIC to include: contributing at least $100 billion to Nigeria’s GDP; creating over two million jobs, with a focus on Nigeria’s vibrant youth population; and developing world-class infrastructure to support talent development, cultural preservation, and tourism growth

“This is a deliberate strategy by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to diversify the economy beyond oil and tap into Nigeria’s vast creative and cultural wealth,” Musawa said.

The minister emphasised that while Nigeria boasted a wealth of creative talent and cultural heritage, lack of supporting infrastructure had been a major barrier to full realisation of the sector’s economic potential.

Musawa said, “Everyone talks about Nigeria’s creativity. Our content is globally celebrated, from Nollywood to Afrobeat. But what we lack is the infrastructure to support and sustain this growth.”

She stressed, “Imagine the impact if events, like December’s ‘Detty December’ in Lagos, were backed by world-class infrastructure. The value would be exponential.”

Musawa revealed an array of projects under consideration to drive the sector’s growth, including: Abuja Resort Range and Abuja Creative City; revitalisation of Yankari Game Reserve; development of 5,000 new cinema screens nationwide; Wole Soyinka Centre for African Arts in Lagos; and a National Digital Distribution Network for creative content.

Others were upgrading the National Gallery of Art and expanding the National Arena to 100,000-seat capacity; establishment of a Nigerian National Museum in Abuja; positioning Nollywood as a global film destination with dedicated production hubs; and a world-class music arena to support Nigeria’s booming music industry.

“It’s unthinkable that Nigeria, the Giant of Africa, doesn’t have a national museum in its capital city. We’re going to change that,” Musawa declared.

She also highlighted ongoing engagements with development partners and stakeholders worldwide to secure investments and adopt innovative financing models for the CTIC projects.

Musawa explained, “The government is intentional about this. We’re not just waiting for foreign investments; we’re putting domestic financing structures in place and creating an environment where the private sector can thrive.

“Today marks the beginning of a journey to not just build infrastructure, but to shift the national mind-set about the economic power of culture, creativity, and tourism.”

The minister added, “This is a new dawn for Nigeria’s creative and tourism industries.”

The Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has ordered immediate and comprehensive investigation into allegations of criminal activities within the Okere Correctional Centre, Warri, Delta State.

The Minister through his media aide, Alao Babatunde, expressed concerns over the development which had recently been reported in the media.

The Minister condemned the alleged criminal acts, describing them as reprehensible

He assured any form of indiscipline and misconduct would be met with severe consequences.

“I will not allow indiscipline to fester under my nose. Any officer found wanting will face the full weight of the law. The leadership of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) must provide explanations,” Tunji-Ojo stated.

The Minister reiterated commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and accountability in the administration of justice within correctional service system.

“We take these allegations seriously and will not tolerate any form of misconduct within our correctional facilities,” he added.

The Minister called on the general public to provide any relevant information that may aid in the investigation.

The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the issuance of a N758 billion bond to clear outstanding pension liabilities for all categories of pensioners, offering long-awaited relief to retirees.

The approval, granted during Tuesday’s FEC meeting at the State House, Abuja, allows the Debt Management Office (DMO) to raise the funds needed to settle pension arrears under the Defined Benefit Scheme—the system that preceded the current contributory pension scheme introduced in 2004 and amended in 2014.

Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, who disclosed this while briefing journalists after the meeting chaired by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the move would address the financial burden faced by retirees awaiting their entitlements.

He explained that under the old Defined Benefit Scheme, some pensioners who had not yet retired required top-ups to their benefits whenever wage increases occurred, typically every five years.

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In a separate development, FEC also approved a €30 million concessional loan from the French Development Agency (AFD) to support student accommodation projects.

The financing will be implemented in collaboration with Family Homes Limited, the government’s partner for the initiative.

The concessional loan is expected to improve student housing conditions across the country, aligning with the administration’s commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure.