The Minister of Works told lawmakers on Wednesday that the ministry’s 2026 capital plan focuses on finishing major roads and four “legacy” projects started by the presidency.
In a budget defence to the Senate and House Works committees, the minister said the 2026 capital proposal totals 3.24456 trillion naira and explained why many projects were carried over. “When we came on board, he had to continue all the entire 2,064 projects,” he said, referring to projects inherited in 2023.
He gave figures to show tight funding: only ₦210.318 billion of the 2025 capital releases was paid so far — about 9.7% of what was expected — and said contractors are owed about ₦2.2 trillion for work done. “The total amount owed to contractors for works done and generated certificates between 2024 and 2025 is about $2.2 trillion,” he told the committees.
The minister said the government has re-scoped and prioritised projects because costs rose after fuel subsidy removal and the naira was floated. He listed legacy schemes, including the Lagos–Calabar coastal highway and the Sokoto–Badagry corridor, and promised phased delivery, with some sections to be commissioned by May 29, 2026.
He asked lawmakers to note that the 2026 plan carries over about 70% of unfinished work from 2025 and that new phases will be funded in stages so projects can finish on time.
