The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said President Bola Tinubu’s administration is laying a foundation for a new generation of highways designed to last between 50 and 100 years, marking a sharp departure from Nigeria’s long history of poorly constructed and short-lived roads.
Umahi spoke during an inspection of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway (Section I), where he said the ministry had adopted a new approach that prioritises durability, innovation and cost-effectiveness over the traditional “cut-and-fill” method blamed for frequent road failures.
In a statement issued by the ministry’s Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, on Wednesday, the minister said the new design standards combine recycling, milling and concrete reinforcement to build highways capable of withstanding decades of heavy traffic and harsh weather.
“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.”
He explained that the new method involves recycling existing asphalt layers, which are often stronger than fresh materials because they have been compacted by years of use.
“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 said the Abuja–Kaduna section, handled by Infiouest International Limited, is one of the most technically advanced road projects in the country. He praised the contractor for maintaining international standards and deploying over 300 units of heavy-duty equipment to ensure timely delivery.
According to him, the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda aims to transition from asphalt to rigid (concrete) pavement on major highways, which he said would save the government billions 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 also warned engineers and contractors against removing structurally stable asphalt layers, describing the practice as 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.
