Fixing Nigerian roads is frustrating. Nigeria needs N18trn to fix roads – Umahi

David Umahi, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, expressed frustration over the country’s road repair challenges, citing insufficient funding as a major obstacle. 

Appearing before the Senate Committee on Works, Umahi acknowledged the difficulties in addressing the country’s vast infrastructure needs, emphasizing that the available budget does not adequately address the scope of repairs needed.

Umahi noted that the cost of repairing roads has significantly increased compared to previous years. He admitted that while he has succeeded in many of his professional endeavors, the task of improving road infrastructure in Nigeria has proven to be especially challenging due to financial constraints. “I have not failed in many of my life engagements but I am feeling frustrated with fixing roads in Nigeria with funds that are not in any way tangible for what is required,” he said.

The Minister also referenced the substantial backlog of projects inherited by President Bola Tinubu’s administration, with a total of 2,064 road projects amounting to N13 trillion. Umahi suggested that these projects, when adjusted for current market conditions, should now be valued at approximately N18 trillion. He emphasized that the president, an economist by training, is actively working to secure loans to finance these essential infrastructure projects.

Highlighting the critical importance of road infrastructure, Umahi explained that well-maintained roads are crucial for economic growth and reducing poverty.  He said;

“Remember the President inherited 2,064 projects, totaling N13 trillion in 2023. If you review that project in line with the market realities now, it should be close to N18 trillion.

“So, when the President, who is an economist, who has gone through all the segments of what we are passing through, by reason of his experiences, and is making efforts to borrow money to do these projects, the public will be challenging his actions.

“That’s what I have been telling the National Assembly, and we are on the same page now. We have to borrow money to fix the roads.

“The roads, when fixed, would be catalyst to economic growth. It will also eliminate hunger. This is because road infrastructure create a lot of economic activities.”

However, Umahi also pointed out that fixing the roads cannot be accomplished with the yearly budget allocations alone. He called for more sustained and focused investment in infrastructure, recognizing the vital role it plays in the nation’s development.

Some members of the Senate Committee on Works agreed with Umahi, noting that the N827 billion allocated to the Ministry of Works for the 2025 fiscal year is insufficient to meet the country’s road repair needs. They echoed the minister’s concerns that more substantial funding is needed to address Nigeria’s growing infrastructure deficit.

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