The Minister of Works, David Umahi, says President Bola Tinubu’s administration is setting a new benchmark for road construction in Nigeria with highways designed to last between 50 and 100 years.
Umahi made the disclosure during an inspection of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway (Section I), stressing that the government is abandoning outdated construction methods in favour of modern, durable, and cost-effective designs.
According to a statement by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, the new road standards incorporate recycling, milling, and concrete reinforcement to ensure longevity and resilience against heavy traffic and harsh weather conditions.
“We are building roads that will stand the test of time, save public funds, and drive economic growth,” Umahi said. “Our goal is to eliminate premature failures and end the culture of patching roads every few years.”
Explaining the engineering approach, the minister said existing asphalt layers would be recycled rather than removed, as they have already been compacted by years of use and possess a higher bearing capacity than new materials.
“You cannot get a better California Bearing Ratio by adding laterite. The old subgrade is stronger because it’s been consolidated over time,” Umahi explained. “That’s why we are milling, stabilising, and strengthening instead of replacing entire asphalt layers.”
He described the Abuja–Kaduna section, handled by Infiouest International Limited, as one of Nigeria’s most technically advanced road projects, commending the contractor for maintaining international standards and deploying over 300 heavy-duty machines to ensure timely delivery.
Umahi added that the Renewed Hope Agenda seeks to phase out flexible pavements and prioritise rigid (concrete) highways to reduce maintenance costs. “Concrete roads are more sustainable, especially for highways with heavy trucks,” he noted.
He also cautioned engineers against removing structurally sound asphalt layers, calling the practice “wasteful and technically unsound.” “Properly milled and recycled asphalt can last well beyond its 25-year lifespan,” he said. “We must adopt international best practices and stop discarding materials that remain viable.”