When Nigerians ask, “How much does it cost to build a road?” the answer they usually get is, “It depends.” Which in plain language often means: “We don’t want you to know.”
But yes, it is absolutely possible to measure the cost of a road per kilometre, and in fact, that’s how most governments, contractors, and international lenders do it. The problem is that the numbers vary more than Lagos traffic during the rainy season.
The Road Menu: Pick Your Type, Pick Your Price
Roads come in different classes, and so do their price tags:
Earth/Graded Road (village path, but upgraded): $30,000 – $80,000 per km Gravel Road (your car will rattle, but at least you can move): $80,000 – $250,000 per km Two-lane Asphalt Road (rural standard): $300,000 – $1 million per km Urban Asphalt with Drainage (Lagos-style, where gutters cost more than the road): $1 million – $3 million per km Dual Carriageway / Highway: $2 million – $10+ million per km Expressway with Flyovers and Fancy Lighting: $5 million – $20+ million per km
👉 In Nigeria, this often translates into ₦250m – ₦500m per kilometre for a basic asphalt road, and ₦1.5bn or more for an urban dual carriageway. By the time “mobilisation fees,” “consultancy,” and “monitoring committees” are added, don’t be surprised if the number doubles.
Why the Same Kilometre Costs Different in Benin, Abuja, and Berlin
Location & Terrain Flat land = cheap. Swamp = bring your calculator and a canoe. Scope of Works Some figures include only the asphalt, others also add bridges, culverts, drainage, and compensation for the man selling roasted corn by the roadside. Standards & Materials Concrete roads last longer but cost more. Asphalt is cheaper upfront but melts faster in Nigerian sun if not properly laid. Country-specific Factors Labour, inflation, exchange rate, corruption, and even politics. A road that costs $300,000/km in Ethiopia may be priced at $1 million/km in Nigeria—same design, different “circumstances.”
A Quick Example: 10 km Rural Asphalt Road in Edo State
Earthworks & sub-base: $250,000/km Asphalt layer: $300,000/km Drainage & culverts: $150,000/km Supervision & contingency (aka “oga at the top’s share”): $100,000/km
👉 Total ≈ $800,000 per km → $8 million (≈ ₦10 billion) for 10 km.
The Politics of Per Kilometre
Politicians love to announce cost per kilometre as a measure of their performance. Citizens love to argue about it. But unless you know the road type, terrain, and full scope of works, comparing costs is like comparing akara with meat pie.
In some cases, costs are deliberately underquoted (to look cheap) or inflated (to look “lucrative”). Either way, without transparency, the road budget remains as slippery as the asphalt after a Benin downpour.
Final Pothole
Yes, cost per kilometre is a valid metric. But before you shout “overpriced!” or “cheap!”, always ask:
What type of road? What’s included in the scope? What’s the terrain? And—most importantly in Nigeria—who’s the contractor?
Because in the end, one kilometre can cost anything from $50,000 to $20 million—depending on whether you’re building a village road, an expressway, or just paving the driveway to a politician’s mansion.
Centre for Nigeria Progress 