The Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu has approved the design and procurement of two major dual carriageway projects in southeastern Nigeria, paving the way for improved regional connectivity, faster movement of goods and people, and stronger economic links across multiple parts of Africa’s most populous nation.
The approval covers the 108-kilometre Otuocha–Anam–Abaji Road and the 150-kilometre Oba–Nnewi–Uga–Ihube (Okigwe Junction) Road, according to a statement issued on Thursday in Awka by the National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mazi Ejimofor Opara.
The Otuocha–Anam–Abaji corridor is expected to connect Anambra State in Nigeria’s Southeast with Kogi State and the North Central region, while the Oba–Nnewi–Uga–Ihube highway will link Anambra and Imo states to the strategic Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway through parts of Abia State.
The approval followed consultations between the federal government and the Anambra State Government on priority infrastructure projects aimed at improving transportation networks in the region. Discussions began during a meeting between Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo and President Tinubu, after which the Federal Ministry of Works requested formal proposals on key road corridors. The Anambra State Government submitted its proposals on July 3.
Governor Soludo said Minister of Works Dave Umahi informed him on July 15 that President Tinubu had approved both projects to proceed to the design and procurement stage.
He described the highways as strategic transport corridors that would strengthen connections between Nigeria’s Southeast, North Central and South-South regions, facilitate the movement of people and goods, reduce travel times and stimulate economic growth across the affected states.
The projects form part of broader efforts to address infrastructure gaps in Nigeria, where road transport remains the dominant means of moving passengers and freight. Improved highway links are widely seen as critical to enhancing trade, reducing logistics costs and supporting economic integration across the country’s diverse regions.
According to the statement, the approvals reflect ongoing cooperation between the federal and Anambra state governments to accelerate infrastructure development and promote regional growth. The new road corridors are also expected to strengthen commercial activity and improve access to key economic centres across several geopolitical zones.
