Nigeria Adds CCTV and Solar Lights to Federal Highways

Nigeria's federal highways are getting a high-tech upgrade that could transform how the country maintains its roads and keeps travelers safe.

The Federal Works Ministry announced plans to install solar-powered lighting and CCTV cameras across the entire national highway network. Minister David Umahi shared the news after touring completed road projects in southeastern Nigeria, including the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway and the Second Niger Bridge.

The solar lights will illuminate bridges and roadways without relying on the electrical grid, while cameras will monitor infrastructure around the clock. This dual approach tackles two challenges at once: improving nighttime visibility for drivers and deterring theft or vandalism of road materials.

The timing couldn't be better. Nigeria has struggled with contractors removing freshly laid asphalt and other materials from active road projects. The minister specifically directed that no asphalt should be removed from federal roads going forward, and the surveillance system will help enforce that rule.

The inspection tour revealed impressive progress on existing projects. The 61-kilometer first section of the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway is now fully complete, along with three additional kilometers of the Port Harcourt road. These completed sections represent critical links in Nigeria's transportation network, connecting major economic centers in the southeast.

The Ripple Effect

Better roads mean more than just smoother drives. Reliable highways boost commerce by making it easier and safer to transport goods between cities. Night lighting reduces accident risks and extends productive travel hours. And protected infrastructure means taxpayer money goes further because repairs and replacements become less frequent.

The surveillance technology also creates accountability. Contractors know their work is being watched, which incentivizes quality construction. Communities benefit from the added security presence that cameras provide along highway corridors.

For a country working to strengthen its infrastructure, this represents a smart investment in sustainability. Solar power keeps costs down long-term while the cameras protect the investment already made in road construction.

The nationwide rollout will bring these benefits to highways across Nigeria's diverse regions, from busy urban corridors to rural connections that link remote communities to markets and services.

Nigeria's highways are getting brighter, safer, and better protected for everyone who uses them.