President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday declared that the era of abandoned public projects in Nigeria is over as he commissioned the main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) from Ring Road I Junction to Ring Road II Junction in Abuja.
The President, who was represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said the completion of the strategic road project reflects his administration’s determination to deliver infrastructure that will drive economic growth, ease transportation challenges and improve the living standards of Nigerians.
“We don’t start projects to abandon them. The era of uncompleted projects in Nigeria is fading away. We finish what we start, and even finish the ones we did not start,” Tinubu said at the commissioning.
Describing infrastructure as the backbone of national development, the President said the newly completed road would unlock economic opportunities across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and beyond.
“What we are doing here today goes far beyond laying asphalt or mixing concrete. We are paving the way for a brighter future. Infrastructure is the very artery of economic growth. If you want to unlock the potential of a city, create jobs and make life easier for the market woman, the corporate worker and the industrialist, you build roads,” he said.
Tinubu noted that the OSEX project had progressed in phases, beginning with the commissioning of the first section from the Villa Roundabout to Ring Road I Junction in 2024, followed by the inauguration of the 15-kilometre left-hand service carriageway in 2025.
According to him, the completion of the main carriageway linking Ring Road I and Ring Road II marks another major milestone in the transformation of Abuja’s road infrastructure network.
The President also commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, for what he described as strong, focused and result-driven leadership.
“The structural transformation we are witnessing in the Federal Capital Territory is a testament to what happens when you have focus, vision and dynamic leadership. I want to commend the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, and his entire team for their commitment and dogged determination in reshaping the FCT for long-term prosperity,” he said.
Addressing Wike directly, Tinubu added: “You have shown that public service is about performance, not excuses. You have kept the contractors on their toes and you have kept our vision alive. This is the spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda delivering quality results for the Nigerian people on time.”
He said the road would significantly reduce traffic congestion, cut travel time, lower transportation costs and open up new development corridors between Apo and Wasa districts.
Earlier, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, attributed the successful completion of the project to firm supervision, government commitment and the cooperation of the contractor, CGC Nigeria Limited.
Wike said the project, awarded in late 2025, was delivered within a tight schedule after he challenged the contractor to meet the timeline for President Tinubu’s third anniversary in office.
“I asked them a simple question: can you deliver this project? I told them I wanted it ready for Mr. President’s third anniversary. They said yes. Despite my initial doubts because of the scope of work, they assured me they would deliver, and today they have kept their promise,” he said.
The minister disclosed that he personally inspected the project site over ten times to ensure strict compliance with deadlines, adding that the achievement demonstrates what is possible when government and contractors work with mutual trust and commitment.
According to him, the Tinubu administration has continued to prioritise continuity in governance by completing inherited projects rather than abandoning them.
“We did say every project we inherited, we are going to continue with it and finish it. That’s the essence of leadership. Government is a continuum. We cannot abandon projects funded with public resources,” Wike stated.
He noted that about 80 per cent of projects completed by the FCT Administration since 2023 were inherited from previous administrations, stressing that infrastructure development should transcend political transitions.
Wike also confirmed that full infrastructure has been provided at the new relocation site for traders and artisans at the Apo Mechanic Village, in fulfilment of government promises to decongest the area and provide a more organised environment for business activities.
Responding to critics who claim that little progress is being made, the minister pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects across Abuja’s satellite towns, including Kwali, Karu and Kubwa, as well as water projects in rural communities.
“Sometimes it baffles me when people say nothing is happening in this country. Are we doing all these things in heaven or here on earth where people are living?” he asked.
In her remarks, the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, described the OSEX project as a major milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory.
She commended President Tinubu for his commitment to infrastructure development and praised Wike for his drive in delivering projects that are reshaping Abuja and improving the quality of life of residents.
The newly commissioned road is expected to further strengthen Abuja’s transportation network, improve mobility and support the continued expansion of the capital city.
