Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, has commended indigenous contractors handling major highway projects under the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing their performance as a sign of Nigeria’s growing engineering capacity.

Speaking during an inspection of the Calabar corridor of the President’s legacy road programme, Umahi said at least eight local contractors are already working on projects without receiving mobilisation funds, showing strong commitment to national development.

He said the 465-kilometre highway linking Calabar to the Federal Capital Territory is being built using concrete pavement technology expected to last up to 100 years.

The minister added that the project will eventually connect with the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, creating a major transport and economic corridor across the country.