AEC Unity Network Limited, the sole concessionaire officially sanctioned by the Federal Government to execute the Abuja-Lagos Super Highway and High-Speed Train projects, has distanced itself from a rival group, AEC-Geofocus Consortium, which has been making bold but unverified claims about its involvement in the massive infrastructure initiative.
In a statement issued on Sunday, AEC Unity Network reaffirmed its exclusive authority to design, finance, construct, and operate the ambitious 470-kilometer superhighway and rail line. The company emphasized that it holds the full backing of key government bodies, including the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Ministry of Finance, and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC).
The clarification comes amid reports that AEC-Geofocus Consortium, led by Engineer Mutiu Yinka Idris, had claimed to be spearheading the project with $16 billion in financial backing secured from Middle Eastern investors and other global institutions. Idris described AEC-Geofocus as a consortium of engineers, planners, and financiers poised to transform Nigeria’s infrastructure under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, and Maintain (DBFOM) framework.
However, AEC Unity Network dismissed these assertions as baseless and misleading, warning stakeholders against falling for what it described as fraudulent claims. According to Barrister Ayodeji Ademola, the legal consultant for AEC Unity Network, the project was conceived and developed exclusively by their team, with no input from AEC-Geofocus.
“These claims are entirely spurious and at odds with the reality of our infrastructure plans,” Ademola stated. “AEC Unity Network Limited has no relationship with Engineer Mutiu Yinka Idris or the Geofocus Consortium. Their assertions are intended to confuse stakeholders and potentially defraud investors.”
The controversy has escalated following Geofocus’ media blitz, where Idris assured stakeholders of a project flag-off before February 2025, vowing to deliver “world-class infrastructure” that would connect several states, including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Kwara, Kogi, and Niger, before culminating in Abuja.
AEC Unity Network expressed surprise and dismay at the sudden emergence of Geofocus, describing its claims as a blatant attempt to mislead the public and undermine the government-approved project. The company reiterated its commitment to professionalism and transparency, urging investors to verify information only through its official channels.
The Abuja-Lagos Super Highway and High-Speed Train projects are pivotal components of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, aimed at revolutionizing Nigeria’s transportation network and catalyzing economic growth. The initiative is expected to enhance connectivity between the nation’s capital and its commercial hub, creating new opportunities for trade and development.
As the dispute unfolds, concerns are mounting about the potential impact on investor confidence and the project timeline. AEC Unity Network has assured the public that its plans remain on course, emphasizing that no parallel developments on the same corridor exist under any other entity.
This latest twist underscores the challenges facing large-scale infrastructure projects in Nigeria, where competing interests often collide, threatening progress. As the public awaits clarity, the stakes remain high for a project envisioned to reshape Nigeria’s infrastructure landscape