The first phase of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was built during the oil boom and opened in 1978. Despite decades of neglect, the road has carried hundreds of millions of journeys. The 2013-ongoing Julius Berger rehabilitation is built on the original 1970s foundation. The 1970s decision to build it was correct even though subsequent maintenance was negligent.
Obasanjo I · Infrastructure1975 — 78Good spending· Still in use· Chapter I · Money
Lagos-Ibadan Expressway — First Phase
Nigeria's busiest intercity highway. 50,000–70,000 vehicles per day. The primary link between Lagos and the rest of Nigeria.
Sources
- · FMW Road Infrastructure in Nigeria (2018)
- · Julius Berger Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Rehabilitation Project Report (2019)
What it cost — political & economic reality
The political and economic reality
Nigeria in 1978: who was in charge, the cabinet of the day, the GDP, and the crises that defined the period.
Head of State · Military
Gen. Murtala Muhammed → Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo
1975–1979
National reality
Murtala assassinated 13 February 1976; Obasanjo completed the transition. Universal Primary Education launched 1976. Land Use Act 1978. 1979 Constitution and handover to the Second Republic.
Crises of the period
- Dimka coup attempt + Murtala assassination (1976)
- 'Ali Must Go' student protests (1978) — students killed over a 50-kobo fee increase
GDP (World Bank)
$28 bn (1975) → $47 bn (1979)
Cabinet (selected portfolios)
- Education
Col. Ahmadu Ali (1975–78)
- Education
J.O.J. Okezie (1978)
Source: Federal Gazette; Constitution Drafting Committee records (1976–78)
Methodology
Tier 1 · primary
Courts. Gazettes. National archives.
Tier 2 · corroborating
OCCRP. HRW. BudgIT. TheCable.
Redline
Wikipedia is never a source.