President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a nationwide audit of all federal roads and the establishment of a comprehensive, geo-referenced data management system.
The President declared that sustainable infrastructure management can no longer be based on guesswork, but must be rooted in accurate, real-time data. This foundational shift, he stated, is critical for transitioning from a cycle of costly emergency repairs to a modern regime of predictive and preventive maintenance.
The directive was delivered on behalf of the President by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, during the opening ceremony of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) 2026 Road Summit held in Abuja.
Representing the President, Akume emphasized, โSustainable infrastructure management begins with knowing the true condition of our assets.โ He mandated FERMA to immediately strengthen its routine road condition audits, safety audits, and post-failure assessments across the entire federal road network.
The cornerstone of the new policy is the creation of a centralised digital database. President Tinubu specified that this system must be โcomprehensive and geo-referenced,โ meticulously documenting every failed and failing section of federal highway.
โSuch a database should clearly document the causes of failure, whether due to design limitations, construction quality, axle overloading, drainage challenges, climate impacts or maintenance lapses,โ the President directed.
He argued that with this precise data, the government can make informed, strategic decisions, enhance budgeting accuracy, prioritize interventions effectively, and hold contractors accountable for project quality. The database will also facilitate research collaboration with technical institutions like the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI).
To ensure effective implementation, President Tinubu delineated the roles of key agencies. He affirmed that the Federal Ministry of Works remains the lead institution for policy, standards, design, and major construction/rehabilitation projects.
FERMAโs statutory role, he clarified, is the โmaintenance, preservation and protection of completed federal road assets.โ He stressed that these mandates are โcomplementary, not competitive,โ calling for seamless collaboration to avoid duplication and gaps in responsibility.
Echoing the Presidentโs concerns, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Muhammad Goronyo, lamented the rampant abuse of Nigerian roads, which undermines costly investments. He identified overloading, reckless driving, and unauthorized use as major culprits that drastically shorten road lifespans.
โThe consequence is a heavy drain on the governmentโs resources, forcing repeated repairs instead of allowing us to expand and modernise our network,โ Goronyo stated. He emphasized that curbing this abuse is essential to protecting public funds and ensuring value for money.
In his presentation, the Managing Director/CEO of FERMA, Dr. Emeka Agbasi, underscored the severe economic toll of poor road conditions. He noted that roads are vital for moving agricultural produce, industrial goods, and providing access to essential services like education and healthcare.
However, he listed persistent challenges: โdeteriorating assets, maintenance backlogs, climate-induced damage, funding constraints and road safety concerns.โ These issues, Dr. Agbasi warned, result in higher vehicle operating costs, longer travel times, reduced economic competitiveness, and most critically, loss of lives.
The summit concluded with a consensus that this data-driven mandate aligns Nigeria with global best practices in road asset management. The new approach will prioritize lifecycle costing, performance indicators, and resilience standards, moving the country towards a more efficient, accountable, and sustainable infrastructure future.
The directive is seen as a critical first step in President Tinubuโs broader agenda to overhaul Nigeriaโs transport infrastructure, stimulate economic growth, and improve the quality of life for all citizens.
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