By By Habeeb Ibrahim
The Federal Government has denied rumors that the Murtala Muhammed Expressway in Abuja has been renamed Wole Soyinka Way.
According to a statement signed by Rabiu Ibrahim, media aide to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, 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, designated as Arterial Road N20.
During the inauguration, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike proposed that the new road be named after Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, which President Tinubu approved.
The government clarified that it is the Arterial Road N20 that now bears Soyinka’s name, not the Murtala Muhammed Expressway.
“We have noted the rumors 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,” the statement read.
“For the record, on June 4, 2024, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a new road in the FCT 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 continued.
The government emphasized that the Murtala Mohammed Expressway remains unchanged, continuing to honor 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.
