President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Federal Ministry of Works to take immediate action on the worsening condition of the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road and the Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti corridor, following prolonged gridlock that has left motorists and commuters stranded for hours and, in some cases, days.
The directive was disclosed on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, through a statement issued by his spokesperson, Francis Nwaze.
The development comes amid mounting complaints over the deteriorating state of the two major road corridors, particularly the Benin-Agbor section, where severe traffic congestion has disrupted movement between Edo and Delta States. Reports from the affected areas indicate that motorists have been trapped for extended periods, while the poor state of the roads has also affected the movement of goods and commercial activities.
Umahi said President Tinubu had ordered the Ministry to intervene urgently and take whatever corrective measures were necessary to restore normal movement along the affected routes.
According to the Minister, the Federal Government was concerned about the hardship being experienced by road users who have been forced to spend unusually long periods on journeys because of the worsening road conditions.
The Minister said the President’s directive had prompted the immediate mobilisation of officials and resources to the affected areas, with the Government seeking both short-term measures to ease the current crisis and longer-term solutions to prevent a recurrence.
FG Mobilises Team To Ekiti-Kogi Corridor
As part of the immediate response, Umahi directed the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, to lead a team of Ministry officials to the Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti axis.
The team was tasked with inspecting the affected sections, assessing the extent of the damage and commencing urgent remedial work to restore movement.
The Ministry said its officials were already on the ground as of 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, with the intervention beginning in the Ekiti and Kogi sections of the corridor.
The urgency of the operation follows reports of a collapsed section of the road around the Ifaki-Oye-Ilupeju-Kabba axis, where articulated vehicles, including trucks and tankers, have been trapped for days. The situation has caused significant disruption to the movement of goods into and out of Ekiti State.
The prolonged blockage has also raised safety concerns, particularly because some of the stranded vehicles are petroleum tankers. Authorities and residents have expressed concern that a major accident involving the vehicles could have serious consequences for communities around the affected section.
The intervention team is therefore expected to focus not only on restoring traffic flow but also on addressing the immediate risks posed by the deteriorating road.
Umahi Heads To Benin For Coordinated Intervention
While the Minister of State for Works and his team moved towards the Ekiti-Kogi corridor, Umahi travelled to Benin City, Edo State, to personally coordinate the intervention on the Benin-Agbor-Asaba road.
The Minister was accompanied by members of the National Assembly Works Committees as part of efforts to find an immediate solution to the worsening crisis.
The Benin engagement is expected to involve representatives of the Edo and Delta State Governments, the Niger Delta Development Commission and other relevant stakeholders.
The meeting is aimed at determining the steps required to ease the severe congestion and address the deteriorating portions of the highway.
The Benin-Agbor corridor has recently attracted widespread public attention following protests, complaints from motorists and reports of travellers spending days on the road. Earlier reports described sections of the highway as severely degraded, with potholes, failed portions and congestion combining to make movement increasingly difficult.
The crisis has also affected businesses and the movement of goods across the region, with reports of trucks and commercial vehicles remaining trapped for prolonged periods.
Government Promises Immediate And Permanent Solutions
Umahi expressed regret over the hardship experienced by motorists and commuters and apologised to those who had been delayed or stranded.
The Minister also accepted responsibility for the situation on behalf of the Federal Government, assuring road users that the response would not stop at temporary measures.
He said immediate remedial work would be pursued alongside permanent solutions designed to restore the affected roads and improve their reliability over the long term.
The Federal Government’s position is significant because the Benin-Agbor-Asaba corridor serves as an important route connecting parts of southern Nigeria, while the Ifaki-Kabba-Ado Ekiti route provides a crucial link between communities and commercial centres in the South-West and North-Central regions.
The worsening condition of both corridors has therefore raised concerns beyond traffic delays, with prolonged road disruptions capable of affecting trade, transportation costs, fuel distribution and the wider movement of people and goods.
Road Crisis Triggers Growing Pressure
The intervention follows increasing pressure on the Federal Government to address the road failures.
On the Benin-Agbor route, motorists and residents have complained about the prolonged gridlock and the condition of the highway. The situation became particularly severe in recent days, with reports of travellers spending nights on the road and commercial vehicles remaining stuck in traffic.
Umahi had earlier announced plans to visit the Benin-Asaba road and engage the relevant parties, including engineers, the concessionaire handling the project and the Edo State Government, over the deteriorating situation.
The Minister had also linked some of the challenges to issues surrounding the Federal Government’s attempt to involve private-sector operators in road development through concession arrangements.
With President Tinubu now directing an urgent intervention, attention has shifted to how quickly temporary repairs can restore traffic and whether the Government can implement lasting reconstruction measures.
For motorists currently using the affected corridors, the immediate priority remains the restoration of free movement and the removal of stranded vehicles.
The Federal Ministry of Works has assured road users that the intervention will combine emergency measures with permanent solutions, as the Government moves to address two of the major road crises currently affecting motorists in Edo, Delta, Ekiti and Kogi States.