As the West African region inches closer to launching the long-anticipated Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway, the Federal Government has provided clarity on how the ongoing six-lane Lagos-Badagry Expressway fits into this larger, transnational infrastructure vision.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Thursday, the Federal Controller of Works in the state, Olukorede Kesha, explained that the Nigerian segment of the Abidjan-Lagos Highway spans approximately 79 kilometers stretching from Eric Moore in central Lagos to the Seme border with the Republic of Benin. Contrary to assumptions that the Lagos-Badagry Expressway is a stand-alone initiative, Kesha confirmed that it is indeed an integral part of the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor Highway project.
The Abidjan-Lagos Corridor is a flagship project of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), designed to enhance trade, connectivity, and economic integration across five countries Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and Nigeria. With a total length of 1,028 kilometers, the corridor is envisioned as a 10-lane superhighway with dedicated lanes for rail and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), along with service lanes and extensive urban transit options to serve local communities.
While that grand vision remains in development, Nigeria has been working on segments of the expressway under different authorities and scopes. According to Kesha, the Federal Government has already awarded a 46.2-kilometer section between Agbara and Seme to contractors, while the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) is overseeing the stretch from Okokomaiko to Agbara. The 10-kilometer portion from Eric Moore to Igbo Elerin is being handled by the Lagos State Government.
This multi-jurisdictional approach, though fragmented, is gradually laying the groundwork for a unified corridor. However, questions remain about whether the current work typically three lanes without provisions for rail or BRT aligns with ECOWAS’ original plan. Kesha acknowledged that the master plan may be under review, with a possible decentralization strategy allowing each member state to develop its section according to capacity, while still adhering to broader connectivity goals.
“The current configuration may still stay,” she said, suggesting that future additions like light rail and BRT lanes could be integrated later to serve local communities along the corridor.
Beyond technical scope, the project also involves a right-of-way of approximately 120 meters, accommodating future expansions. According to Kesha, the design phase of the Nigerian section is expected to be completed by May 2025, after which full construction will commence.
In preparation, the Federal Ministry of Works and the ECOWAS Commission have already begun stakeholder engagements, particularly with communities, traditional rulers, and security agencies along the route. These dialogues held in towns like Agbara and Seme have focused on securing community support, addressing security concerns, and laying out the social impact of the project.
As Nigeria continues to navigate the complex logistics of balancing domestic infrastructure needs with regional aspirations, the Lagos-Badagry axis remains pivotal not just as a major transport link for Lagos residents, but also as a gateway to deeper economic integration across West Africa.
