President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has lauded the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for his visionary leadership in transforming Abuja into a hub for business, housing, and investment through strategic infrastructure development.
The commendation was made in Abuja on Tuesday during the formal inauguration of the right-hand service carriageway of the Inter-Northern Expressway (INEX), stretching from Ring Road III to the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX), also known as the Murtala Mohammed Expressway. This project is one of 10 completed and inaugurated out of 17 infrastructure projects slated for commissioning in celebration of President Tinubu’s second year in office.
Represented at the event by the Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, President Tinubu described the newly completed expressway as a vital component of the FCT Master Plan. According to him, the INEX project is designed to improve urban mobility, ease traffic congestion, and enhance connectivity for millions of residents, commuters, and businesses within the city.
“This carriageway is more than just a road—it is a symbol of progress and a reflection of my administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Tinubu stated. “An agenda focused on building people-oriented infrastructure that unleashes economic potential and supports sustainable development.”
The president emphasized the importance of expanding and maintaining key routes in response to growing traffic volumes in the FCT and surrounding satellite towns. He reiterated the federal government’s commitment to replicating similar infrastructure across the country to ensure inclusive development and national cohesion.
“Projects like these show what we can achieve when planning, execution, and leadership are purpose-driven,” he added. “Our aim is to deliver roads, bridges, railways, and more across Nigeria so that no region is left behind.”
In his remarks, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike revealed that the 16-kilometre stretch of the road was originally awarded in 2014 at a cost of ₦7 billion but was completed under the Tinubu administration at ₦31 billion due to inflation and project variations. He praised President Tinubu for prioritizing the completion of impactful infrastructure and ensuring the revival of abandoned or stalled projects.
“This is the industrial zone of Abuja,” Wike noted. “The Industrial Park nearby had been left dormant, but this administration revived it. Once completed, the park will generate 40,000 direct jobs. With continued support, we can solve many of our challenges.”
Wike stressed the role of road infrastructure in attracting investors, arguing that without functional road networks, economic growth is stifled. He reaffirmed his dedication to the Renewed Hope Agenda and to delivering results that serve both Abuja residents and the country at large.
Also speaking at the event, FCT Minister of State Dr. Mariya Mahmoud highlighted the project as further evidence of the Tinubu administration’s people-centred governance. She said the road represents the administration’s collective ambition to build a more connected, prosperous Nigeria.
The acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Development Authority (FCDA), Mr. Richard Dauda, offered technical details on the INEX project. According to him, the full length of the road—32.5 kilometres—is a 10-lane expressway that connects Maitama to ONEX. The road design includes two main carriageways of three lanes each and two service carriageways of two lanes each.
“The road starts at the IBB Golf Course in Maitama, passes between the National Mosque and the Yar’Adua Centre in Phase I, moves through Wuye and Dakibiyu in Phase II, then continues through the Idu Industrial Area in Phases III and IV, before ending at ONEX,” Dauda explained.
He added that the construction is being executed in phases, with the current segment being the second phase, following the earlier completion of the stretch from Ring Road II to Ring Road III.
The event marked a significant milestone in the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure agenda, with the road expected to ease mobility, promote investment, and boost industrial growth in the FCT.
