₦3.49trn for Roads: FG Unveils Massive Nationwide Infrastructure Push in 2026 Budget

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The Federal Ministry of Works has emerged as one of the biggest winners in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s proposed ₦58.18 trillion 2026 budget, with plans to spend about ₦3.49 trillion on road construction, rehabilitation, and critical infrastructure across Nigeria.

Details of the proposal, obtained from appropriation documents and widely shared budget breakdowns, show that roughly ₦3.44 trillion of the allocation is earmarked for capital expenditure. The funding is targeted at completing long-delayed legacy projects, expanding strategic transport corridors, executing emergency repairs, and rolling out new connectivity initiatives across all six geopolitical zones.

The scale of the proposed spending underscores the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises the completion of ongoing projects, the strategic use of multilateral and bilateral financing, and infrastructure-led economic growth amid revenue pressures and the carryover of major 2025 capital projects.

One of the most striking components of the proposal is ₦600 billion set aside for new road projects spread across the six geopolitical zones, signalling an attempt to balance development nationwide. Major externally financed projects also feature prominently, including ₦367.9 billion for the Lafia Road and the dualisation of the 9th Mile (Enugu)–Otukpo–Makurdi corridor under the Keffi Phase II arrangement.

In addition, ₦157 billion has been proposed as counterpart funding for the Makurdi–9th Mile Road being executed by China Harbour Engineering, reflecting the government’s continued reliance on foreign-backed financing to deliver large-scale infrastructure.

To accelerate ongoing works, the budget allocates ₦160 billion to projects in the South-West, while the South-South and North-West are each set to receive ₦120 billion. The South-East, North-East, and North-Central zones are allocated ₦100 billion each, alongside a ₦100 billion contingency fund to address urgent infrastructure needs.

Several flagship national corridors are also prioritised. These include ₦52.5 billion for Phase I of the Kano–Katsina dualisation, over ₦24.5 billion for various sections of the Kano–Maiduguri dualisation, ₦13.3 billion for the reconstruction of the Dikwa–Marte–Monguno Road in Borno State, ₦11.9 billion for Section III of the Enugu–Port Harcourt Road, ₦17.5 billion for the Odukpani–Itu–Ikot Ekpene Road, and ₦10.1 billion for the emergency repair of the Iyana Ipaja Interchange in Lagos.

Beyond the mega projects, the proposal contains dozens of smaller interventions ranging from ₦200 million to ₦2 billion, covering township roads, bridges, drainages, flyovers, and limited rehabilitations. These projects are spread across states including Kano, Ogun, Lagos, Abia, and Cross River, with a strong focus on rural bypasses, market access roads, and community-linked infrastructure aimed at boosting local connectivity and job creation.

Analysts say the proposed allocation reflects a pragmatic approach to Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit—prioritising completion over expansion, maintaining zonal balance, and leveraging external funding where necessary. However, concerns have been raised about the sustainability of loan-backed projects and whether the emphasis on legacy roads leaves enough room for transformative new infrastructure.

The 2026 Appropriation Bill is currently before the National Assembly, where lawmakers are expected to scrutinise the figures and propose amendments ahead of final passage.

As public attention turns to implementation, Nigerians are demanding strict oversight, transparency in contract awards, and timely delivery to ensure the trillions allocated result in safer roads, reduced transport costs, and real economic impact.

With the budget debate underway, Nigeria’s infrastructure agenda for 2026 is taking shape—and the government’s promises will soon be tested on the nation’s roads.