FG Warns Contractor Over ₦56 Billion Abuja–Lokoja Highway Project Delays

The Federal Government has cautioned the contractor handling the ₦56 billion reconstruction of a 53-kilometre section of the Abuja–Lokoja highway, warning that the contract may be revoked if progress is not significantly improved by November.

During an inspection of the site on Saturday, Minister of Works David Umahi said the government is dissatisfied with the pace of work and will not hesitate to reassign the project if targets are not met.

The section under review, scheduled for completion in April 2026, was initially designed for asphalt but is now being built with concrete at no additional cost. Umahi commended the contractor for opting for concrete, describing it as a more durable solution. However, he stressed that quality alone does not excuse delays.

“We are going to agree on what you can finish in the next one year, and we will agree on milestone completion. If you complete from here to there, you will get paid. For those who cannot meet up, we will divide their jobs and give them to those who can,” Umahi said, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

He added that payments would be processed within 30 days once milestones are achieved, with government prepared to allocate sections to other contractors if the current pace does not improve.

Indigenous contractors and future phases

Umahi underscored the administration’s support for indigenous contractors, noting that their ability to deliver high-quality projects demonstrates competitiveness with foreign firms. He further revealed that another 86-kilometre stretch of the highway is currently under procurement, with opportunities available for contractors who demonstrate capacity.

Minister of State for Works Bello Goronyo reiterated that the Abuja–Lokoja road is a priority for the government, adding that funding has been secured and delays will not be tolerated.

Wider infrastructure commitments

The Abuja–Lokoja highway is one of several major projects approved by the Federal Executive Council in March 2025, which included ₦733 billion in allocations for key roads nationwide. Among these are ₦507 billion for Section 2 of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano road (82 kilometres), ₦147 billion for the dualisation of Section 2 of the Ibadan–Ilorin road, ₦55 billion for the Odupani–Itu–Idedem road in Cross River and Akwa Ibom States, and ₦24 billion for a flyover in Enugu.

Outlook

With the April 2026 deadline less than 19 months away, the Abuja–Lokoja highway project faces a critical period. The Federal Government’s insistence on milestone-based payments and possible reassignment signals a shift towards stricter accountability in road construction. For contractors, the message is clear: quality must be matched with speed if Nigeria’s infrastructure goals are to be realised.