By Nkechi Eze
The Federal Government on Friday, January 23, 2026, reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating the delivery of critical road infrastructure across the country as the Honourable Minister of Works, Senator (Engr.) David Umahi, CON, FNSE, FNATE, received a high-level delegation from the World Bank for a strategic engagement in Abuja.
The meeting, held at the Minister’s office, focused on practical pathways for improving Nigeria’s road sector as a cornerstone for economic competitiveness, national growth and social development. In his opening remarks, Senator Umahi welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation for the World Bank’s sustained interest in Nigeria’s infrastructure development agenda, stressing that efficient and durable road networks remain fundamental to trade, mobility and inclusive growth.
He briefed the delegation on the Federal Government’s Development Management Initiative and the “Build, Update and Maintain” strategy, explaining that under the model, government undertakes road construction while the private sector is engaged in maintenance. According to the Minister, the approach is designed to promote sustainability, efficiency and value for money in infrastructure delivery, while reducing the recurring cycle of road failure and reconstruction.
Highlighting sectoral challenges, Senator Umahi noted that the removal of fuel subsidy and the floating of the naira have significantly increased construction costs and constrained funding availability. Drawing from practical experience, he explained that asphalt roads in Nigeria often fail to last beyond ten years, a reality that informed the Ministry’s strategic shift towards reinforced concrete pavement as a more durable and cost-effective long-term solution.
The Minister outlined several priority road projects currently being handled by the Ministry, including the multi-section East–West Road, the Enugu–Onitsha Road Project, the Kano–Jigawa–Maiduguri Road Corridor and the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway. He disclosed that upon assuming office, the Ministry inherited about 260 weak road links, 50 dilapidated bridges and numerous failed sections nationwide. To address these urgent deficiencies, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, approved ₦20 billion for the completion of selected priority projects, many of which, he said, are already being commissioned across the country.
Senator Umahi explained that prevailing economic realities have made long-term projections less feasible, necessitating a pragmatic focus on short-term interventions aimed at completing major ongoing projects. He emphasized that funding remains the most critical constraint, stressing that new projects cannot be responsibly initiated while existing ones remain unfinished.
Against this backdrop, the Minister formally requested the World Bank to consider financing road infrastructure projects through the Federal Ministry of Works via the Presidency. He explained that such funding would be directed at completing strategic ongoing projects, with tolling mechanisms introduced to ensure sustainability and repayment. He underscored the urgency of additional funding to prevent further deterioration of critical national assets.
Responding, the World Bank delegation, led by Mr. Matthew Verghis, said the visit was aimed at exploring practical ways of improving Nigerian roads, which he described as the country’s most important infrastructure asset. He noted that well-maintained road networks are essential for productivity, connectivity and economic resilience.
Another member of the delegation, Mr. Franz Drees-Gross, stated that the World Bank’s overarching objective is to create jobs and reduce poverty, stressing that infrastructure development plays a central role in achieving both goals. He explained that road projects generate employment directly through construction and indirectly by stimulating activities across agriculture, trade, transport and industry. He identified key areas of interest for the Bank, including the establishment of State Roads Funds, functional State Road Maintenance Agencies, improved flood control through effective drainage systems, and increased private sector participation in road financing.
Mr. Verghis further emphasized that World Bank support is contingent on strict adherence to its procurement standards, underscoring the importance of transparency, accountability and due process in project execution.
The engagement concluded on an optimistic note, with both sides expressing commitment to deepening collaboration towards the development of sustainable, resilient and inclusive infrastructure in Nigeria. The Honourable Minister of State for Works, Barrister Mohammed A. Goronyo, Esq., delivered the vote of thanks, appreciating the World Bank delegation for the visit and reaffirming the Ministry’s readiness to work closely with the Bank in pursuit of shared development objectives.
