FG denies renaming Murtala Muhammed Expressway after Soyinka
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The Federal Government on Monday dismissed information that the Abuja Murtala Muhammed Expressway had been renamed Wole Soyinka Way.
The FG, in a statement signed by the media aide to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Rabiu Ibrahim, clarified that the renaming of the expressway was never considered by the current administration.
The confusion stems from a recent event on June 4, 2024, when President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a new road in the Federal Capital Territory.
The new road, designated as Arterial Road N20, stretches from Katampe to Jahi, connecting the Outer Northern Expressway (also known as Murtala Muhammed Expressway) to the Northern Parkway (Ahmadu Bello Way).
During the inauguration, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike proposed that the new road be named after Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, a suggestion that Tinubu approved.
Consequently, it is the Arterial Road N20 that now bears Soyinka’s name, not the Murtala Mohammed Expressway.
“We have noted the rumours being circulated that the Murtala Muhammed Express Way in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has been renamed as Wole Soyinka Way. The renaming of the Murtala Mohammed Expressway Way has never been contemplated by this administration.
Codenamed Arterial Road N20 (from Katampe to Jahi), which links the existing Outer Northern Expressway (also known as Murtala Muhammed Expressway) to the Northern Parkway (also called Ahmadu Bello Way).
“During the inauguration of the N20 (which is a new road), FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, proposed to the President that the road be named after Prof Wole Soyinka, and the President agreed”, the statement read in part.
The government emphasised that the Murtala Mohammed Expressway remains unchanged, continuing to honour the legacy of the former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed.
“Therefore, the Arterial Road N20 is named after Prof Soyinka. The Murtala Muhammed Expressway remains unchanged and continues to bear the name of our esteemed former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed,” Ibrahim stressed.
Citizens were urged to disregard any misinformation suggesting otherwise, as such reports are false and unfounded.
“We urge all citizens to disregard any misinformation regarding renaming the Murtala Muhammed Expressway. The report is entirely false and only exists in the imagination of its purveyors”, the statement added.
