FG Adopts Concrete Roads to Last Up to 100 Years – Umahi

FG Building Roads Designed to Last Up to 100 Years — Works Minister David Umahi Explains New Direction


Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has announced a major shift in the country’s road construction approach, revealing that the Federal Government is now prioritizing the use of reinforced concrete technology to build roads that could last between 50 and 100 years.


Speaking during project inspections and policy briefings, Umahi explained that the new direction is part of a broader effort by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to end what he described as decades of short-lifespan road infrastructure across the country.




For many years, most Nigerian highways have been built using asphalt. While asphalt is cheaper upfront, it has proven vulnerable to, heavy truck loads, flooding and poor drainage, high temperatures and weak soil foundations


According to Umahi, these factors contributed to roads failing within just a few years, leading to frequent repairs, rising maintenance costs and economic losses due to bad roads


He stressed that the government can no longer afford a system where roads are rebuilt repeatedly instead of lasting for decades.




The Minister disclosed that Nigeria is now adopting continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) and other modern engineering methods.

Unlike asphalt; concrete roads are stronger, they resist deformation from heavy traffic, they are less affected by heat and they require fewer major repairs





Umahi noted that with proper design, including strong sub-base and drainage, concrete roads can last 50 to 100 years.


This is the basis for his widely quoted statement that:

The government is now building roads that are meant to last generations, not just election cycles.



Umahi emphasized that durability is now the guiding principle behind federal road projects.

He pointed out that past failures were often not due to lack of funding alone, but because, roads were built on weak foundations, drainage systems were ignored and construction standards were inconsistent 




He further said that the new approach focuses on, soil testing, proper base structure, reinforcement and a long-term structural integrity



According to the Works Ministry, durable roads will reduce reconstruction costs, improve logistics and trade, support heavy-duty transport and boost national productivity


Over time, the government expects savings from reduced maintenance to outweigh the higher initial cost of concrete construction.




Umahi clarified that the 100-year lifespan is an engineering potential, not an automatic guarantee.

Actual performance will still depend on construction quality, drainage systems, traffic management and maintenance culture


However, he maintained that Nigeria must begin building infrastructure with long-term sustainability in mind. 



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The move signals a shift from temporary solutions toward lasting infrastructure development.

If consistently implemented, the policy could change how roads are built across Nigeria and reduce the cycle of constant rehabilitation.



The Federal Government is not claiming every road will last exactly 100 years. Rather, the new construction philosophy aims to ensure stronger roads, longer lifespan and lower long-term costs

It represents a deliberate move toward durability and sustainability in Nigeria’s transport infrastructure.

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