L-R Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, FCT Minister Barr Nyesom Wike, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Minister of State, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud at the commissioning of the main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway from RRI to RRII, Abuja..on Tuesday
FCTA PRESS RELEASE
PRESIDENT TINUBU COMMISSIONS OSEX MAIN CARRIAGEWAYS IN ABUJA
…SAYS ERA OF ABANDONED PROJECTS IS GONE
President
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR has officially commissioned the completed main
carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX), stretching from the Ring
Road I Junction (Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway) to the Ring Road II Junction (the
road leading to outer districts of Lokogoma and Galadimawa in the FCT).
The
President, who was represented at the ceremony by the President of the Senate,
Senator Godswill Akpabio, on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, described the landmark
project as a tangible manifestation of the "Renewed Hope" agenda,
declaring that his administration has effectively brought an end to the culture
of uncompleted and abandoned public works across Nigeria.
He
said, "When we took the oath of office to lead this great nation, …we
promised a renewed hope that is tangible—hope that you can see, hope that you
can feel, and hope that you can drive on! We don't start projects to abandon
them. The era of uncompleted projects in Nigeria is gone! We finish what we
start".
President
Tinubu recalled that he had, in the last two years, commissioned the initial
stages of the inherited OSEX project (also known as Mahamadou Issoufou Way) and
stressed that its completion will further enhance traffic flow in the FCT,
reduce lost man-hours and save fuel for commuters.
He
commended the FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, and his team for their
dogged determination and focused vision in structurally transforming the
nation’s capital for long-term prosperity, noting that the FCT Minister has
shown that public service is about performance and not excuses.
"You
have kept the contractors on their toes, and you have kept our vision alive.
This is the spirit of the Renewed Hope agenda—delivering quality results for
the Nigerian people, on time", President Tinubu stated.
The President also used the occasion to reassure Nigerians that the current administration was fiercely committed to infrastructure development across the country. “We will continue to build, we will continue to reform, and we will continue to invest in the future of our people”.
The
Senate President, while delivering the executive address, also lauded Barr.
Wike’s efforts to relocate the Apo Mechanic traders along the road corridor to
a permanent site in the Wasa District. He noted that the tangible deliverables
in the FCT were already earning the administration deep support from residents,
as reflected in the ruling party's massive victories during the recent Area
Council elections.
Earlier
in his remarks, the FCT Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, recalled the President's
explicit directive upon their inauguration in 2023 to ensure the completion of
all inherited projects, given that they had already gulped significant public
funds.
Barr.
Wike further stated that the contract for the OSEX main carriageways from RRI
to RRII was awarded in October last year, adding that he frequently visited the
construction site to ascertain the progress of work, while the FCT
Administration also ensured that the project was adequately funded.
The
Minister admitted that he originally questioned whether China Geo-Engineering
Corporation (CGC) could complete the road and its bridges in time for the
President's third anniversary, but praised the firm for honoring its commitment
and delivering on schedule.
“I
want to sincerely thank CGC. This means that nothing is impossible if we are
determined and committed to achieving results. With a proper understanding with
your contractors and their belief that you will also carry out your own
obligations, we were able to achieve a lot in ensuring we completed our
project. I’m happy with them, and I want to say thank you so much on behalf of
the FCTA.
The
Minister also used the occasion to dismiss critics who claim the country's
developmental progress is stagnant, noting that the FCT Administration has
earmarked an unprecedented 31-day period to inaugurate completed projects in
both the city centre and the satellite towns.
"It
baffles most of us when people say nothing is happening in this country. Can
those in the FCT say nothing is happening in Abuja?" The Minister asked.
Barr.
Wike also disclosed that the FCT Administration has fully provided the
infrastructure at the new site in Wasa for the long-awaited relocation of the
Apo Mechanic Village, bringing an end to years of unfulfilled promises by
previous administrations to move them out and decongest the area.
In her remarks, the FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, had expressed profound appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to infrastructure development, describing the official commissioning of the two main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) as another landmark achievement under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She
also affirmed that the project represents a significant milestone in the
ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory and a testament to the
President's determination to deliver purposeful governance through impactful
infrastructure.
Executive
Secretary, FCDA, Engr Richard Yunana Dauda, in the project overview, said that
the road has greatly improved security and the socioeconomic lives of residents
of the area. He announced that the commissioned project mainly comprised the
two main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway from Ring Road I to Ring
Road II, while explaining that the Outer Southern Expressway commenced from the
Villa Roundabout, in Asokoro, traversing Apo, Wasa, up to Kuje, terminating at
the intersection of the Federal Highway, A2, at Gwagwalada along the
Abuja-Lokoja route (On full development).
He
said that the road was being developed in stages, with the 1st stage developed
from the Villa Roundabout to Ring Road 1, a 10-lane expressway, which was
completed and commissioned during the President’s first anniversary in 2024. He
added that the current development completes the full scope development of the
OSEX up to Ring Road II, terminating at the Kabusa Junction.
In his
remarks, Managing Director of China Geo-Engineering Corporation (CGC), the
contractors of the project, Mr. Zhong Xiang, stated that the project reflects
the strong partnership and cooperation between China and Nigeria and promoted
the growth of China-Nigeria relations. “This project shows what can be achieved
through partnership, trust and shared commitment to development”, he added.
The historic commissioning ceremony was attended by a high-profile delegation, including serving and former members of the National Assembly, Chairmen of the FCT Area Councils, national political party leaders, heads of security agencies, royal fathers, and other top government officials
MORE PICTURES AND CAPTIONS
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| L-R Deputy Managing Director, CGC, Lv Haiming, Senator Saliu Mustapha, Minister of State, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, FCT Minister, Barr Nyesom Wike, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, Chinese envoy, Managing Director, CGC, Mr Zhong Xiang and the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Chibudom Nwuche during the commissioning of the main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway in Abuja on Tuesday |
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| A section of the newly commissioned main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway, Abuja on Tuesday |
L-R FCT Minister, Barr Nyesom Wike, Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, Minister of State, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, Senator Mustafa and Vice President APC South South, Chief Victor Giadom during the commissioning of the main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway Abuja on Tuesday
RABI MUSA UMAR
DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PRESS
(OFFICE OF THE HON. MINISTER)
FCTA/ODP/PR/855
09/06/2026
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