The Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) has proposed a massive ₦189 billion for road maintenance, repairs and rehabilitation in its 2026 budget, highlighting the federal government’s renewed focus on fixing Nigeria’s deteriorating road network.
The proposal, contained in the 2026 budget breakdown published by the Budget Office of the Federation, puts FERMA’s total budget at ₦229 billion for the year. Out of this, about ₦191 billion is earmarked for capital expenditure on roads and bridges nationwide.
Recurrent expenditure is put at ₦38 billion, with personnel costs taking ₦5 billion. Of this, ₦3.5 billion is for staff salaries, while ₦385 million has been allocated for the settlement of existing liabilities.
A breakdown of the capital projects shows allocations spread across several states and strategic transport corridors. FERMA plans to spend ₦87 million on the rehabilitation of the Old Enugu–Onitsha–Enugu Expressway, while ₦105 million is proposed for general maintenance and repairs of the Naram Bridge in Bauchi State.
In Lagos, ₦47.8 million has been set aside for the general maintenance of the Ijora Causeway–Iddi Terminus, and ₦122.9 million for the maintenance of the Lagos–Badagry–Seme Border dual carriageway, a key international trade route.
Other proposed projects include ₦47 million for the maintenance of the Maraban Jamaa–Heipan–Panyam Road, and ₦140 million for the Gumel–Maiharaji–Niger Republic Border Road in Jigawa State.
Beyond road works, the agency also included ₦210 million in its budget for the construction of schools in various locations across the Ibi/Wukari Federal Constituency of Taraba State.
If approved by the National Assembly, the 2026 budget would make one of the biggest yearly investments by FERMA in road maintenance, at a time when poor road conditions continue to affect transportation, trade and safety across Nigeria.
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