Nigeria’s House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a request by President Bola Tinubu to secure a $516.33 million loan from Deutsche Bank to finance the first section of the proposed Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.
The approval followed consideration of the request by lawmakers during plenary presided over by Speaker Tajudeen Abbas.
In a letter read on the floor, Tinubu described the project as a major infrastructure initiative aimed at linking Nigeria’s northwest to its southwestern coastline through an approximately 1,000-kilometer dual carriageway from Illela in Sokoto state to Badagry in Lagos state.
The highway is expected to pass through Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states, connecting key agricultural, commercial and industrial hubs.
Tinubu said the project is designed to boost economic growth by improving the movement of goods and people across the country.
“It will improve north-south connectivity, safety and network performance, reduce logistics costs and travel times, and strengthen trade facilitation, food security and national cohesion,” he said.
The president added that the design includes provisions for future rail integration and utility corridors.
According to Tinubu, the financing plan includes the $516.33 million loan backed by partial guarantees from the insurance arm of the Islamic Development Bank, while the federal government will provide counterpart funding of 265.54 billion naira.
He said the government’s contribution would cover land acquisition, compensation and related infrastructure.
Lawmakers were urged to fast-track approval of the loan, citing the project’s strategic importance.
The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway is one of Nigeria’s largest planned road projects and is expected to improve transport links, support agricultural supply chains, enhance regional trade and attract investment along its corridor.
It also aligns with broader efforts to strengthen infrastructure and improve competitiveness under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
Presenting a report on behalf of the House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management, Abdullahi El-Rasheed said the project would drive development and boost long-term economic productivity.
Lawmakers subsequently approved the borrowing request, clearing the way for work to begin on the first section of the highway.
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