The Federal Government has released only N2.68 trillion for road construction, rehabilitation and maintenance projects between 2023 and April 2026, despite approving a combined N54.93 trillion for the sector during the period.
Analysis of data from the Open Treasury Portal shows a significant gap between budgetary allocations and actual cash releases, raising concerns about the pace of infrastructure delivery under the Federal Government’s development agenda. The Road Budget Releases trend highlights the persistent challenge of funding major capital projects despite growing budget commitments.
Records indicate that in 2023, road-related projects received budgetary allocations totaling N2.53 trillion. Out of this amount, N631.51 billion was released, representing an implementation rate of 24.95 percent.
Road construction projects accounted for N280.14 billion in releases from a budget of N1.09 trillion, while rehabilitation and repair works received N345.93 billion from N1.42 trillion. Maintenance projects attracted N5.44 billion out of N14.68 billion allocated.
The situation changed in 2024 as allocations increased sharply to N9.39 trillion. However, only N784.60 billion was released, representing 8.36 percent of the approved budget. Construction projects received N383.74 billion from N5.05 trillion, while rehabilitation works attracted N384.49 billion from N4.32 trillion. Maintenance activities received N16.37 billion from N18.18 billion budgeted.
The Road Budget Releases data showed that 2025 followed a similar pattern. Government allocated N7.22 trillion for road projects, but only N670.68 billion was released, translating to 9.29 percent implementation. By April 2026, allocations had risen dramatically to N35.79 trillion, the highest within the four-year period. Yet actual releases stood at only N597.08 billion, representing 1.67 percent of the approved amount.
Road construction projects received N293.06 billion from N23.61 trillion budgeted, while rehabilitation projects got N300.80 billion from N12.03 trillion. Maintenance projects received N3.22 billion from an allocation of N144.64 billion.
The Road Budget Releases figures emerge as the government continues work on strategic infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Road and Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway.
Minister of Works David Umahi recently disclosed that the ministry inherited more than 2,000 ongoing projects in 2023, many of which remain active due to funding constraints. He also revealed that the government owes contractors about N2.2 trillion for certified works executed between 2024 and 2025.
Overall, the Road Budget Releases records show that while government spending plans for infrastructure have expanded significantly, actual funding has not matched approved budgets. Analysts say timely releases will be critical if major highway projects are to achieve their intended impact on connectivity, economic growth and national development.
The figures suggest that beyond ambitious budget allocations, sustainable financing remains one of the biggest challenges facing Nigeria’s road infrastructure programme.
