The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is setting a new standard for road construction in Nigeria by building highways designed to last between 50 and 100 years.
Umahi made this known during an inspection of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway (Section I), where he said the ministry had adopted a modern construction approach focused on durability, innovation, and cost-effectiveness rather than the conventional ‘cut-and-fill’ method that often leads to road failures.
According to a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, on Wednesday, Umahi said the new design combines recycling, milling, and concrete reinforcement to produce highways capable of enduring decades of heavy traffic and harsh weather conditions.
‘We are building roads that will stand the test of time, roads that will last between 50 and 100 years, save public funds, and promote economic growth,’ Umahi declared.
‘Our goal is to ensure that no section fails prematurely. Nigeria must move away from the culture of patching and rebuilding every few years.’
Explaining the technical details, Umahi said the new method involves recycling existing asphalt layers, which are usually stronger than fresh materials due to years of compaction from traffic.
‘You cannot achieve a better California Bearing Ratio by simply bringing laterite on the road. The existing subgrade, which has consolidated over years of traffic, has a stronger bearing capacity than a new one. That is why we are insisting on milling, stabilising and strengthening rather than removing old asphalt layers and replacing them,’ he said.
Umahi noted that the Abuja-Kaduna section, being handled by Infiouest International Limited, is among the most technically advanced road projects in Nigeria. He praised the contractor for adhering to international standards and deploying over 300 heavy-duty machines to ensure timely completion.
He added that the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aims to gradually transition from asphalt to rigid (concrete) pavements on major highways, which he said would save the government billions of naira in maintenance costs.
‘Wherever we have potholes within the carriageway, we don’t just patch; we treat the entire section with a stone base and, where necessary, stabilise it with cement. On the shoulders, we excavate about 10 centimetres below the existing asphalt, refill with a stone base slightly above the level and compact properly. This ensures stability and prevents water from undermining the structure,’ he said.
‘We are gradually phasing out flexible pavements. Concrete roads are more sustainable, especially for highways with heavy trucks.’
Umahi warned engineers and contractors against removing structurally stable asphalt layers, describing the practice as both wasteful and technically unsound.
‘Asphalt has a lifespan of about 25 years. If milled and recycled properly, it can last much longer. We must adopt international best practices and stop tearing down materials that are still good,’ he advised.
He reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to ensuring that all ongoing projects meet the highest construction standards and deliver lasting value to Nigerians.
‘We are building roads that will stand the test of time, roads that will last 50 to 100 years, save public funds, and promote economic growth,’ he affirmed.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Mohammed Goronyo, who joined the inspection, said Tinubu’s emphasis on durable infrastructure reflects his broader goal of ensuring value for every kobo spent and transforming roads into national assets rather than liabilities.
He commended Umahi for his hands-on leadership, describing him as a ‘mentor to a new generation of engineers learning quality construction standards.’
Officials from the ministry, including the Director of Highways (Special Projects, North), Olufemi Adetunji, said Umahi’s regular field visits have kept contractors accountable and maintained quality assurance.
The Chairman of Infiouest International Limited, Joseph Aboue Jaoude, pledged the company’s commitment to delivering work that meets both local and international benchmarks.
He added that the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway, a major trade route connecting the North to Abuja, now serves as a model for quality road construction in Nigeria.