The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved ₦631.3 billion for nine road infrastructure projects across Nigeria, including major reconstruction works in Kogi and Ekiti states and a road linking Adamawa and Taraba.

Minister of Works David Umahi announced the approvals after Wednesday’s FEC meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The projects cover the construction, reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads intended to improve transportation and address deteriorating infrastructure across the country.

The largest allocations announced include ₦209 billion for the reconstruction of the 81.1-kilometre Ado–Ilawe–Ilumaba–Ikole Road in Ekiti State, including a bridge, and ₦167 billion for the 95-kilometre Etuke–Okeni–Ankpa–Otopa Road in Kogi State.

Another ₦62 billion was approved for the Tungo–Karamti Road linking Adamawa and Taraba states. The project will incorporate five bridges.

The council also approved ₦89.2 billion for the construction of the 47-kilometre Bichi Ring Road, including a flyover, and ₦28.218 billion for the rehabilitation of a 17-kilometre section of the Sokoto–Illela Road, designated Route A1.

An additional ₦30 billion was earmarked for remedial works on deteriorated sections of the East–West Road.

The approvals also include ₦20.257 billion for an 18-kilometre road linking Asiago to the Port Harcourt–Enugu Expressway, as well as ₦11.33 billion for a road project in Abia State previously undertaken by the state government.

Umahi said the Abia project required federal intervention after its funding arrangement under the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s tax-credit scheme was discontinued.

The minister also provided an update on the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria highway, saying the first 118-kilometre section had been completed in 30 months. He said 81 kilometres of the completed section was built with reinforced concrete pavement.

Work on the second section, covering 164 kilometres, was nearing completion, with 16 kilometres remaining, according to the minister.He added that the entire 375-kilometre Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano corridor would be equipped with solar-powered streetlights.

On the proposed Lagos–Abidjan coastal highway, Umahi said ministers from Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire were expected to meet on Friday to discuss funding arrangements.

The proposed regional highway spans sections across the five West African countries, with Nigeria’s portion covering 79 kilometres.

The African Development Bank is expected to provide financing to participating countries for their respective sections, subject to the outcome of discussions and the bank’s arrangements.