Japan Donates ₦3.6 Billion Worth of Equipment to Boost Nigeria’s Road Rehabilitation Efforts
The Federal Government of Nigeria has received a major infrastructural boost with the donation of construction equipment worth ₦3.6 billion from the Government of Japan. The equipment, presented to the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), is expected to significantly enhance Nigeria’s capacity to rehabilitate and maintain its vast network of federal roads.
The Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, who received the equipment on behalf of the Nigerian government, described the gesture as a turning point for the country’s road maintenance strategy. Speaking at the commissioning of the donated equipment in Abuja, Goronyo declared that the intervention signals “a new era of faster and more sustainable road maintenance,” adding that it aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the administration’s drive to improve critical infrastructure.
According to FERMA, the donation includes modern construction and maintenance machinery specifically designed to address Nigeria’s most persistent road challenges ranging from pothole repairs to full-scale resurfacing of damaged stretches. The equipment, manufactured by SAKAI Heavy Industries Ltd., is currently being deployed across FERMA’s operational zones after a round of technical training was conducted for engineers and operators.
The Managing Director of FERMA, Dr. Emeka Agbasi, expressed appreciation to the Japanese government for what he described as a strategic and timely contribution. He noted that the new equipment will not only speed up ongoing road repairs but also enable FERMA to adopt more proactive maintenance methods that could prolong the life span of Nigerian roads.
While the gesture has been widely applauded, both FERMA and the Ministry of Works acknowledge that equipment alone will not solve the deeper funding challenges facing road maintenance in Nigeria. Minister Goronyo reiterated that the agency needs no less than ₦880 billion annually to adequately maintain over 36,000 kilometers of federal roads, a figure far beyond current budgetary allocations. The 2025 budget proposal earmarks ₦168.9 billion for FERMA, which, though an improvement from previous years, still falls short of actual needs.
As part of broader reforms, the Ministry of Works is pushing for full implementation of the five percent road user charge on petroleum products, a statutory revenue source that could help provide a more stable funding stream for road infrastructure. Legislators in the National Assembly have echoed this call, urging the executive to strengthen legal frameworks and embrace public-private partnerships to sustain road development.
This latest development underscores Japan’s long-standing commitment to infrastructure development in Nigeria. Previous partnerships have included urban transport initiatives and energy projects. The Japanese ambassador to Nigeria, who was present at the event, reaffirmed Japan’s support for Nigeria’s socio-economic advancement and pledged continued cooperation in key sectors.
For now, the donated machinery stands as a visible expression of international goodwill and technical support. As FERMA begins deploying the equipment in key road corridors, citizens across the country are hopeful that the intervention will translate into smoother roads, safer travel, and a more efficient national transport system.
