Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, has appealed to the National Assembly to support President Bola Tinubu in raising N7 trillion through bonds to fund the completion of key road projects across Nigeria.
The call comes after the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) withdrew funding from several ongoing projects, prompting the ministry to take over execution.
Speaking during the defense of the ministry’s 2026 budget, Umahi emphasized that completing these roads, including the East-West Road, Suleja–Minna Road, and others in Taraba, Adamawa, and Niger states, is critical for the nation’s economic corridors and overall development.
He said: “NNPCL, with the approval of Mr President, has pulled out of funding this project.
“A total of N7 trillion will be needed to complete it, and Mr President has approved that the ministry take over execution.
“It is important to note that continuation of these projects is critical, as they lie within the nation’s economic corridors.”
He listed projects on the East-West Road, Suleja–Minna Road, and several in Taraba, Adamawa and Niger states.
“They are all part of the NNPCL-funded projects, just to mention a few.
“It is good for our lawmakers to encourage Mr President to raise bonds and complete them.
“Whether it was right or wrong, our people need these roads. This is very important,” Umahi stated.
He commended Tinubu’s commitment to infrastructure and praised the National Assembly for supporting the President.
Umahi said the President inherited 2,064 ongoing projects on May 29, 2023, valued at about N13 trillion.
He noted the figure predated the naira float and fuel subsidy removal.
“If you appraise building material costs now, compared to before subsidy removal, you can imagine the implications.
“But I thank the President. I do not think any other president has done that.
“When we came on board, we had to continue all 2,064 projects,” he said.
He said the Federal Executive Council directed prioritisation, phasing and re-scoping, especially within major economic corridors across the six geopolitical zones.
The minister said the total cost of ongoing projects stood at N16.9 trillion as of December 2025.
He clarified that the figure excluded the President’s four legacy projects.
Umahi said the N16.9 trillion cost was unrealistic, prompting segmentation of projects zone by zone for completion.
“The President graciously gave us additional funds in the 2026 proposal, totalling N797 billion,
