The Federal Government of Nigeria has proposed a substantial allocation of N3.23 trillion for the construction and rehabilitation of federal roads in the 2026 budget. This represents a significant increase of 489% compared to the N548.56 billion allocated in the 2024 budget, highlighting a notable shift in fiscal priority towards road infrastructure. The proposed spending is part of the government’s efforts to complete long-delayed highways and repair critical corridors nationwide.
According to the budgetary documents, the Ministry of Works received N1.013 trillion for the construction and rehabilitation of 468 federal roads in the 2025 budget. The proposed 2026 figure more than triples the 2025 provision, underscoring the government’s commitment to accelerate the delivery of inherited projects and flagship highway developments.
The government has emphasized the importance of improved road infrastructure in reducing transport costs, boosting trade, and supporting economic growth. A review of the proposed 2026 budget estimates reveals that the government has allocated N1.39 trillion for the construction and provision of roads and N285.62 billion for rehabilitation and repair works.
Key projects included in the budget proposal are the reconstruction of the Abuja–Lokoja Road, the Kano–Maiduguri Road, and the dualization of the Kano–Katsina Road. The budget also allocates funds for the rehabilitation of roads in the South-East and South-South regions, including the Enugu–Port Harcourt Road and the Benin–Sapele–Warri Road.
The proposal also includes funding for emergency repair works on the Eko Bridge in Lagos and the completion of the Utor Bridge project in Delta State. Rehabilitation works are also planned for various federal roads across states, including Anambra, Jigawa, Ogun, Oyo, Ekiti, Yobe, and Cross River.
The ministry has proposed N120 billion as additional funding for ongoing projects in the South-South, N160 billion for the South-West, and N100 billion each for the South-East, North-East, and North-Central. A further N600 billion has been earmarked for new road projects across the six geopolitical zones.
The proposed road spending represents one of the largest single-sector allocations in the capital budget, reflecting the government’s emphasis on road infrastructure as a driver of economic growth, trade facilitation, and national integration. The 2026 budget proposal is expected to undergo legislative scrutiny, with lawmakers likely to examine project prioritization, regional balance, and the capacity of the ministry to deliver on its expanded road works program.
