HOUSE OF REP APPOVES $516.3 MILLION FOR SOKOTO -BADAGRY ROAD

‎The House of Representatives has approved a $516.3 million syndicated loan request aimed at funding the first phase of the proposed Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, a major infrastructure project expected to link Nigeria’s northwestern corridor with the southwestern coastal region.

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‎According to details contained in the legislative approval process, the loan sought by President Bola Tinubu’s administration ,will be sourced from Deutsche Bank and directed toward financing the initial 120 kilometres of the 1,068-kilometre highway project. The project is part of the federal government’s broader infrastructure drive under the “Renewed Hope Agenda.”

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‎The proposed superhighway is designed to connect Illela in Sokoto State through multiple states across the country down to Badagry in Lagos State, creating a strategic transport artery between Nigeria’s northwestern and southwestern economic zones. Authorities say the road is expected to reduce travel time, improve logistics efficiency, and stimulate commercial activities across the corridor.

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Lawmakers approved the borrowing request after deliberations in the House of Representatives (Nigeria), where the project was presented as a key infrastructure intervention intended to enhance trade integration and national connectivity. The approval also includes provisions requiring Nigeria to provide over ₦265 billion as counterpart funding to support project execution.

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‎The financing arrangement is structured as a nine-year loan facility, with a three-year moratorium period before repayment begins. This structure is intended to give the government some fiscal breathing space while construction progresses in phases.

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‎Oversight measures were also built into the approval. The agreement mandates quarterly progress reports and periodic audits to ensure transparency in project implementation and proper utilization of funds. Lawmakers emphasized the need for strict monitoring given Nigeria’s rising debt profile and the scale of the project.

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Initial construction activities have already commenced on some sections of the highway, including a 258-kilometre stretch reportedly located in Kebbi State. The early works form part of preparatory efforts for the larger corridor, which is expected to traverse several states before terminating in Lagos.

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‎The project’s financing partner, Deutsche Bank, is expected to play a key role in structuring and disbursing the syndicated loan facility. The arrangement reflects Nigeria’s continued reliance on international financing institutions to support large-scale infrastructure development amid fiscal constraints.

‎Government officials have argued that the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway will serve as a catalyst for economic growth, particularly in agriculture, trade, and interstate commerce. By improving road connectivity between the northern and southern regions, the project is expected to facilitate easier movement of goods, reduce transportation costs, and open up rural markets.

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‎However, the approval has also sparked public debate, particularly around Nigeria’s growing debt burden. Critics have raised concerns that the country’s total public debt ,reportedly nearing ₦159 trillion could place additional pressure on future revenues and limit fiscal flexibility.

‎Supporters of the project, on the other hand, maintain that strategic infrastructure investment is necessary to unlock long-term economic value. They argue that improved road networks could expand the tax base, boost productivity, and enhance regional integration across the country.

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‎The Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway remains one of the most ambitious road infrastructure projects in Nigeria’s recent history, with expectations high regarding its potential impact on national development once completed.

‎As implementation begins, attention will remain focused on funding execution, construction timelines, and compliance with oversight requirements outlined by the National Assembly. in