Federal Government Clarifies Nigeria’s Role in Abidjan-Lagos Highway Project

The Federal Government has provided clarity on the six-lane Lagos-Badagry Expressway project and its connection to the proposed Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway. According to Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Nigeria’s section of the regional highway spans 79 kilometers, from Eric Moore in Lagos to the Seme Border.

The Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway is a 1,028km project that aims to enhance regional connectivity and facilitate trade. The Nigerian section of the highway project has been divided into different segments, with the 46.2km section from Agbara to Seme awarded to a contractor by the Federal Government. The Okokomaiko to Agbara section is being overseen by the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, while the Eric Moore to Igbo Elerin section, a 10km stretch, is being handled by the Lagos State Government.

The original vision for the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway was a homogeneous 10-lane road with provisions for train and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems. According to Kesha, “I wouldn’t know whether that is still subsisting because it looks like they are looking into that again and having to tell each member-country to do its own.” The current project involves constructing a three-lane road with potential future additions, including service lanes and provisions for light rail and BRT corridors.

Kesha noted that the project might still undergo changes, with possible additions to incorporate light rail and BRT corridors to serve communities along the route. This would provide opportunities for locals to access public transportation and enhance regional mobility.

The highway project is still in its design phase, which is expected to be completed in May. After the design phase, construction will begin. The right-of-way of the proposed highway is approximately 120 meters.

The Federal Ministry of Works had held a stakeholder engagement with the armed forces, police, paramilitary, and border communities on the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway Development Project. This engagement aimed to ensure that all stakeholders are informed and involved in the project’s development.

The Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway project is a significant infrastructure development that aims to enhance regional connectivity and facilitate trade. With Nigeria’s section of the project underway, the Federal Government is working to ensure that the project is completed efficiently and effectively.