President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved ₦16.7 billion for the immediate reconstruction of the Mokwa-Jebba Bridge in Niger State, which collapsed in July following heavy rainfall and flooding.
The approval was announced on Friday by Minister of Works, David Umahi, who confirmed that emergency contracts have been awarded to fast-track construction. The bridge is a key link on the Abuja–Ilorin highway, serving as a major transit route for goods and travelers between northern and southern Nigeria.
According to Umahi, the federal government is prioritizing the project to ease the severe gridlock and economic disruptions caused by the collapse. “This bridge is vital to our national economy and security,” he said. “Mr. President has directed that work must commence without delay.”
The reconstruction will be handled by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, with an expected completion time of 18 months. Temporary alternative routes have been created, but motorists have complained of long detours and poor road conditions.
Local businesses, particularly transporters and traders, have suffered significant losses due to the disruption of the corridor, which is one of Nigeria’s busiest highways. Experts estimate that the closure has cost the economy billions of naira in lost trade and logistics delays.
Niger State Governor Umar Bago welcomed the development, praising the federal government’s swift intervention. Civil society groups, however, have called for stricter monitoring of infrastructure projects to prevent future collapses linked to poor maintenance.
The Mokwa Bridge collapse is the latest reminder of Nigeria’s crumbling infrastructure, as heavy rains and flooding continue to expose the fragility of critical transport networks.