The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has revealed that the Sokoto–Kebbi section of the ambitious superhighway project will cost about N3 trillion. He made this known during an inspection of a 40km stretch of Section 1A in Silame Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
Umahi dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu’s administration was neglecting the Northwest in infrastructural development. According to him, the superhighway is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to strengthen Nigeria’s road network and improve train service connectivity across all regions.
He highlighted key legacy projects such as the 750km Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, the 1,068km Sokoto-Badagry Road, the Calabar-Abuja superhighway, the 482km Trans-Saharan road, and the 439km Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe road. These roads, designed as modern concrete highways, will feature street lighting, CCTV cameras, emergency health and security stations, and other facilities for safer and faster travel.
The minister stressed that the Sokoto-Badagry superhighway, running from Illela in Sokoto to Badagry in Lagos, was proof of Tinubu’s commitment to boosting socio-economic development nationwide. He added that besides these legacy projects, reconstruction efforts were also ongoing on Sokoto–Gusau–Funtua–Zaria roads, Kano–Abuja, and Kano–Katsina routes.
He assured Nigerians that by 2026, 120km of the Sokoto axis of the superhighway would be completed, noting that the Northwest region had the highest share of infrastructural provision, with Kebbi and Sokoto alone accounting for about N3 trillion worth of projects.
Umahi praised President Tinubu for actualising a 48-year-old dream once envisioned by late President Shehu Shagari. He also commended the construction firm, security agencies, and the Sokoto State Government for ensuring smooth progress.
In his remarks, Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, described the project as a “game changer” for the Northwest and noted that its impact could attract more support for Tinubu in 2027. Other officials, including engineers and community representatives, expressed confidence that the project would spur investments, create jobs, and uplift social development across the region.
