The Federal Government has proposed massive capital allocations for the Federal Ministry of Works in its 2026 budget, with over ₦2 trillion earmarked for new road construction, dualisation, rehabilitation of existing highways, bridges, and counterpart funding for multilateral loan-backed projects across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.
News.ng reports that at the centre of the proposal is a ₦600 billion allocation for new projects spread across the six geopolitical zones, signalling the government’s intention to expand road infrastructure while addressing regional balance.
This is complemented by ₦367.9 billion under multilateral and bilateral tied loans for the Lafia Road and the dualisation of the 9th Mile (Enugu)–Otukpo–Makurdi–Keffi Phase II corridor, one of the most strategic inter-regional highways in the country.
In a detailed publication on the website of the Budget Office (budgetoffice.gov.ng), significant funds are also set aside to sustain ongoing projects nationwide. The South-West is allocated ₦160 billion, while the South-South and North-West are to receive ₦120 billion each. The South-East, North-East and North-Central zones are each allocated ₦100 billion for additional funding of ongoing works. A further ₦157 billion is provided as counterpart funding for the China Harbour-backed Makurdi–9th Mile Road, underscoring continued reliance on foreign-financed infrastructure delivery. The ministry also has a ₦100 billion contingency fund to address emergencies and unforeseen works.
Major highway projects dominate the budget. These include ₦52.5 billion for the dualisation of the Kano–Katsina Road (Phase I), ₦13.3 billion for the Kano–Maiduguri Road (Section I), and further allocations for sections linking Potiskum, Damaturu, Gombe and Yola. In the North-East, ₦13.3 billion is earmarked for the reconstruction of the Dikwa–Marte–Monguno Road in Borno State, alongside ₦7.7 billion for the Potiskum–Fika–Bajoga–Gombe Road.
In the South-East and South-South, the government plans to invest ₦11.9 billion in the Enugu–Port Harcourt Road (Enugu–Lokpanta Section) and ₦17.5 billion in the Odukpani–Itu–Ikot Ekpene Road, a key economic artery linking Cross River and Akwa Ibom States. Several projects in Abia State, including the Oju–Achi–Mmamakwu Road and the Bende–Itumbuzo Bypass, are also included, with multi-billion-naira allocations.
Urban roads, bridges and flyovers feature prominently. Lagos alone accounts for several interventions, including the Ikorodu–Ogolonto Flyover, Isocare Road, Old Ikorodu–Shagamu Road, emergency repairs at the Iyana Ipaja Interchange, and multiple rehabilitation projects in the Epe, Agege, Isolo and Ota corridors. Similar urban renewal projects are proposed in Ogun, Oyo, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Rivers and Ekiti States.
Beyond highways, the 2026 Works budget also includes funding for bridges, drainage systems, township roads, skill acquisition centres, libraries, conference centres and rural access roads, reflecting a broader infrastructure development agenda. Notable among these are the New Ndebiji Bridge Phase II in Cross River State, rural bridge projects in Benue State, and drainage works in flood-prone urban areas.
Overall, the 2026 proposal positions the Federal Ministry of Works as one of the biggest spenders in the budget, with a strong emphasis on connectivity, economic corridors and regional equity.
However, infrastructure experts note that timely releases, transparency and contractor performance will be critical if these ambitious allocations are to translate into completed roads and tangible benefits for Nigerians.
