The Federal Government has ordered a 30-day emergency repair on the damaged Keffi flyover in Nasarawa State, following the recent accident involving an overloaded truck that struck and weakened the structure. The directive was issued by the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, during an inspection of the site on Sunday, July 20, 2025.
In a statement published on the Ministry of Works website, Umahi instructed CGC (Nigeria) Limited, the construction firm handling related projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to begin immediate repair works. The repairs will involve the molding of a new beam to replace the one completely dislodged during the incident, as well as salvaging two other beams that were partially damaged. The process is expected to be completed within 30 days, after which a strength test will be conducted to confirm the safety of the restored flyover before it is reopened to vehicular traffic.
The flyover sustained significant damage on Thursday, July 17, 2025, when a heavy-duty truck carrying an excavator crashed into the structure. The collision dislodged one of the key support beams and compromised two others, prompting authorities to close the overpass section immediately to prevent further danger to commuters. Although the underpass has since been cleared for use, the overpass remains closed as a precautionary measure.
During his visit, Engr. Umahi emphasized that the integrity of the flyover would be fully restored before it is reopened to the public. He assured Nigerians that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is fully aware of the situation and has directed that swift remedial action be taken. The Minister also conveyed the government’s condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident and wished the injured a quick recovery.
Umahi, who was accompanied by senior ministry officials including the Director of Press and Public Relations, Malam Mohammed A. Ahmed; Deputy Director, Design and Bridges, Engr. Musa Seidu; and the Federal Controller of Works, FCT, Engr. Yakubu Usman, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring the safe and timely reconstruction of the flyover. He mentioned that the emergency repairs will be funded through an intervention arrangement pending the formal release of necessary resources.
In a related development, the Federal Government is planning to implement strict nationwide regulations to enforce weight and height limits for vehicles passing under bridges. This move is aimed at protecting Nigeria’s critical infrastructure from the kind of damage witnessed at the Keffi flyover.
Minister Umahi disclosed that overloaded trucks and vehicles that exceed bridge clearance heights have been major contributors to the deterioration of infrastructure across the country. He warned that a single non-compliant truck can cause damage running into billions of naira while posing serious safety risks to the public.
Umahi cited the Keffi flyover accident as a fresh example of the consequences of non-compliance with road safety and infrastructure protection guidelines. He explained that most Nigerian flyovers are built with clearance limits between 5.5 and 6.5 metres, a standard that many heavy-duty vehicles exceed due to improper configuration or disregard for regulations.
He also revealed that at least seven bridges along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway have suffered similar damages from trucks carrying loads that were too tall or too heavy. As part of the government’s strategy, a coordinated enforcement campaign is being planned in collaboration with relevant agencies to monitor vehicle weights, clearance heights, and proper configurations.
Stakeholders in the construction and transport sectors have welcomed the government’s swift intervention and the planned nationwide enforcement of safety standards. Many have called for consistent monitoring and penalties for violators to prevent further destruction of public infrastructure.
The Keffi flyover is a crucial part of the transport corridor connecting Nasarawa State to the FCT and other parts of the country. Ensuring its timely repair and the protection of similar infrastructure is key to maintaining road safety, reducing traffic disruptions, and safeguarding Nigeria’s economic assets.
