The Federal Government has approved the extension of the ongoing Keffi–Nasarawa–Toto Road project to Abaji in the Federal Capital Territory, bringing the total length of the corridor to 199 kilometres. The approval is part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s plan to boost interstate connectivity, enhance trade routes, and improve movement between the North-Central states and the FCT.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, made this known during an inspection tour of federal road projects in Nasarawa State on Saturday. He was accompanied by Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, and other top officials of the ministry.
Umahi said President Tinubu granted the approval because the road serves as a major economic corridor linking Nasarawa, Kogi, and the Federal Capital Territory. “Mr President approved the extension of this road to Abaji because it’s a critical economic corridor linking Nasarawa, Kogi and the FCT,” he stated.
According to Umahi, the road project was originally 180 kilometres long but has now been extended to 199 kilometres to cover more strategic areas that will support trade and national integration. The Minister explained that the construction will be executed in phases, with Phase One covering seven kilometres, already captured in the budget and currently under procurement. The second phase, which covers the remaining 130 kilometres, will begin afterwards.
Umahi noted that the Federal Government is adopting a new and more durable construction method expected to give the road a lifespan of up to 50 years. He explained that the new technique involves excavating failed portions, refilling with sharp sand and laterite, stabilising with between 2.5 and 3.5 per cent cement, and compacting with a stone base before allowing traffic to pass for consolidation.
“For the shoulders, we will excavate 20 centimetres, compact, refill with a stone base in two layers of 10 centimetres each, and stabilise with 3.5 per cent cement,” he said. “After that, we will mill four centimetres of the existing wearing course, mix it with fresh stone base, and compact it again before applying the binder and wearing course.”
He said the process would stop water from penetrating the pavement, ensuring a smooth and long-lasting surface for motorists. The Keffi–Nasarawa–Toto–Abaji Road is part of a major inter-regional corridor linking the North-Central zone to the FCT and Kogi State. The route also connects key agricultural belts and growing industrial areas, making it important for logistics, mining, and trade.
The extension to Abaji is expected to reduce travel time between Nasarawa and Abuja, ease pressure on the Abuja–Lokoja Highway, and create new economic opportunities for communities along the corridor.
During the inspection, Umahi expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of work on the Mararaba–Keffi dual carriageway, which is being handled by China Harbour Engineering Company. He warned that the Federal Government would revoke the contract for the Abuja-bound carriageway if the company failed to meet the December 15 deadline.
“We cannot continue to tolerate uncooperative contractors who delay projects and ignore directives,” Umahi said. “If by December 15 you do not finish your scope of work, I will terminate the entire contract. We must begin to trust and empower our local contractors who deliver with discipline and integrity.”
He directed the ministry to mobilise a capable local contractor to complete the outstanding works, including the construction of concrete shoulders that have caused gridlock and hardship for motorists and residents along the route.
Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, urged contractors to show more dedication to timelines, noting that the Tinubu administration would not compromise on quality or accountability.
Governor Abdullahi Sule praised the Federal Government and the Ministry of Works for their interventions, especially the repair of the damaged Keffi Flyover and the expansion of road access between Nasarawa and the FCT. He said the Keffi–Nasarawa–Toto–Abaji corridor is critical to the state’s economy, serving as a major route for goods, services, and industrial operations.
“This project will open up new economic opportunities for Nasarawa and its neighbours. It’s a lifeline for industries, farmers, and commuters who depend on this corridor daily,” the governor said. He added that the corridor would support the operations of the newly opened lithium processing factory in the state, said to be the largest in Africa.
Umahi also disclosed that the original contract sum of N73 billion covered only 43.65 kilometres, but following President Tinubu’s directive, the scope has now been reviewed and extended to 137 kilometres, reaching Abaji under a special funding plan. He said all ongoing federal road projects will now use the revised engineering method statement, which includes complete milling of old pavements, reinforcement of subgrades with cement-stabilised stone base, 20-centimetre concrete shoulders, and improved drainage systems.
“No contractor, no matter how connected, will be allowed to compromise on quality. Mr President has done his part by approving funding; it is now our duty to ensure delivery,” Umahi added.
The project, once completed, is expected to boost economic activities in the North-Central region, promote regional integration, and ease transport of goods from agricultural and industrial zones to major markets in the FCT and other parts of the country.
