The Federal Government has refuted claims that the Abuja Murtala Muhammed Expressway has been renamed Wole Soyinka Way.
In a statement signed by Rabiu Ibrahim, media aide to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, the government clarified that such a renaming was never considered by the current administration.
The confusion arose from an event on June 4, 2024, when President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a new road in the Federal Capital Territory.
This new road, designated as Arterial Road N20, extends from Katampe to Jahi, linking the Outer Northern Expressway (Murtala Muhammed Expressway) to the Northern Parkway (Ahmadu Bello Way).
During the inauguration, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike suggested naming the new road after Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, a proposal that President Tinubu approved.
Thus, it is the Arterial Road N20 that now bears Soyinka’s name, not the Murtala Muhammed Expressway.
“We have noted the rumours being circulated that the Murtala Muhammed Expressway in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has been renamed as Wole Soyinka Way.
The renaming of the Murtala Muhammed Expressway has never been contemplated by this administration,” the statement read.
The government emphasized that the Murtala Muhammed 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 are 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.
