10 Road and Rail Projects Tied to Buhari’s Legacy

The late former President Muhammadu Buhari, who led Nigeria from 2015 to 2023, left behind a mixed legacy. 

While his tenure was marked by controversy and criticism, one area where his administration made notable investments was in infrastructure, especially in road and railway development.

From long-delayed bridges to cross-country rail lines, Buhari’s presidency saw the launch and advancement of several major transport projects. 

Some of these projects were completed during his time in office, while others are still ongoing under the current administration. Here are 10 key road and rail projects tied to Buhari’s years in power:

Lagos–Ibadan Standard Gauge Railway

Initiated and completed under Buhari, this 157km railway line was a major boost to Nigeria’s rail network. It connects Lagos to Ibadan and includes a spur to Apapa Port, improving freight movement. 

Despite pandemic-related delays, the $1.5 billion project was commissioned in 2021 and had already transported over 2 million passengers by 2024.

Apapa–Oworonshoki–Ojota Expressway

To ease traffic congestion around the Lagos port, Buhari’s administration launched a massive reconstruction of this vital 36km stretch. The project, managed under a tax credit scheme, involved major private-sector players like AG Dangote Construction and Hitech. 

Despite nearing completion by 2021, it wasn’t fully delivered before Buhari’s exit. It was finally inaugurated in 2024 under the Tinubu administration.

Bodo–Bonny Road and Bridges

First proposed in the 1980s, this project finally saw real progress under Buhari in 2017. The 34km road with 13 bridges was constructed in partnership with Nigeria LNG and Julius Berger. 

Though plagued by cost overruns and delays, the project moved closer to completion with a new delivery target set for September 2025.

Kaduna–Kano Standard Gauge Railway

Launched in 2021, this railway is part of the Lagos–Kano corridor and was meant to strengthen rail transport in northern Nigeria. Funding delays slowed the project, and Buhari’s administration had to rely on budgetary allocations to keep it going. By 2024, China stepped in with a new financing deal to complete it. Work is still ongoing.

Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Expressway

This 375km highway was one of the biggest road projects undertaken during Buhari’s administration. Originally planned as a rehabilitation job, it was later converted into a full reconstruction effort causing delays and cost increases. 

Although over 100km had been completed by 2021, the road wasn’t finished by the time Buhari left office. The Tinubu government resumed funding, and the project is now expected to wrap up by 2026.

Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

A critical link between Lagos and the Southwest, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was another key focus for Buhari. The project neared completion by the end of his tenure but hit a snag when engineers discovered unstable soil along a key stretch. 

Rather than rushing the work, Buhari’s team chose a longer fix to ensure durability. The current administration has continued the work.

Abuja–Kaduna Railway

Commissioned in 2016, this 186km line became Nigeria’s first modern standard gauge railway in operation. It linked the capital city to Kaduna and became a safer alternative to the dangerous Abuja-Kaduna highway. 

The success of this project laid the groundwork for other rail developments during Buhari’s time, including the Lagos–Ibadan and Kano–Maradi lines.

Port Harcourt–Aba Railway

As part of the broader Eastern rail corridor stretching to Maiduguri, Buhari’s administration kicked off the Port Harcourt–Aba segment in 2021. Though the full line wasn’t completed during his presidency, this section was finished in 2024. It aimed to revive railway services in Nigeria’s southeast and bring economic benefits to the region.

Second Niger Bridge

This long-awaited project finally took shape under Buhari’s leadership. Managed through the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund, the bridge spans 1.6km and connects Asaba and Onitsha, two major cities in the southeast. It was commissioned in May 2023 and later named after Buhari. Work on surrounding access roads is still ongoing.

Kano–Maradi Railway

One of the most talked-about projects of Buhari’s second term, this 283km line connects Kano to Maradi in Niger Republic. Critics questioned the need to extend Nigeria’s rail system beyond its borders, but the government defended it as a strategic move for regional trade. Although it wasn’t completed before Buhari left office, construction has continued, and international funding has been secured.