Badagry has again been placed at the centre of Nigeria’s long-term economic transformation as the National Economic Council (NEC) reaffirmed the strategic importance of the #Sokoto–BadagrySuperHighway in the country’s transition from oil dependence to a non-oil driven economy.

At its first meeting of 2026, chaired by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Council resolved to deepen stakeholder engagement and accelerate non-oil revenue generation through manufacturing, agriculture, exports and private sector investment — pillars in which Badagry is expected to play a critical role due to its coastal location and border access.

For residents and stakeholders in Badagry, the renewed focus on the Sokoto–Badagry Highway represents more than an infrastructure project. It signals federal recognition of Badagry as a future trade, logistics and investment corridor linking Nigeria’s hinterland to regional and international markets.

Badagry Corridor Identified as Legacy Infrastructure

As part of its resolutions, NEC approved the constitution of a Presidential Committee on Legacy Projects, specifically to drive implementation of flagship infrastructure including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway.

The committee is chaired by the Governor of Cross River State, with one governor representing each geopolitical zone, including Lagos State for the South-West — a development of particular relevance to Badagry communities.

The Council was briefed that implementation processes for the highways have already commenced under the supervision of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to delivering the projects despite earlier setbacks.

Non-Oil Economy Positions Badagry for Growth

Vice President Shettima noted that Nigeria’s non-oil economy now accounts for about 96 per cent of GDP, with non-oil revenues contributing nearly three-quarters of total government collections. According to him, sectors such as services, agriculture and manufacturing are increasingly driving growth.

For Badagry, this policy direction aligns with its historical role as a gateway for trade and cultural exchange, now poised to become a hub for export-oriented manufacturing, agro-processing, tourism and logistics once supporting infrastructure is completed.

The Council emphasised that the next phase of growth must be job-rich and inclusive, a development many observers believe could significantly reduce unemployment and boost small businesses across the Badagry axis.

Economic Growth Must Translate to Local Impact

While acknowledging Nigeria’s 3.9 per cent economic growth in 2025, NEC stressed that higher growth levels are required to meaningfully reduce poverty and improve living standards.

This position resonates strongly in border communities like Badagry, where residents continue to call for infrastructure that directly supports commerce, security and livelihoods.

The Council’s deliberations also highlighted the need for agricultural productivity, food security and value-chain development — areas where Badagry’s coastal and rural communities could benefit from targeted investments.

Badagry in National Economic Repositioning

With NEC committing to closer collaboration with the World Bank, implementation of tax reforms and renewed emphasis on human capital development, Badagry’s inclusion in Nigeria’s legacy infrastructure map positions the ancient town as a future beneficiary of national economic repositioning.

As Nigeria pushes forward with its non-oil growth agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope framework, the success of projects like the Sokoto–Badagry Coastal Highway is expected to redefine Badagry’s economic relevance — from a historic border town to a modern corridor of opportunity.