The Federal Government has responded to widespread speculation that Abuja’s Murtala Mohammed Way has been renamed after Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka.
Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, addressed the issue in a statement released on Monday, June 17.
The minister said that such a proposal was never on the table during President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“We have noted the rumours being circulated that the Murtala Mohammed Expressway in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, has been renamed as Wole Soyinka Way,” Minister Idris stated.
“The renaming of the Murtala Mohammed Expressway has never been contemplated by this administration.”
The confusion arose following the inauguration of a new road, Arterial Road N20, on June 4, 2024, by President Bola Tinubu.
During the inauguration ceremony, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike suggested naming the new road after Prof. Wole Soyinka, a proposal to which President Tinubu agreed.
Minister Idris reiterated, “It is the Arterial Road N20 that is named after Prof. Soyinka.
“The Murtala Mohammed Expressway remains unchanged and continues to bear the name of our esteemed former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Mohammed.”
He concluded by urging the public to disregard any misinformation regarding the renaming of the Murtala Mohammed Expressway, asserting that such reports are baseless and without merit.
