President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday inaugurated the fourth Legacy Project under his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, approving the immediate release of N111 billion for the commencement of the 700-kilometre Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Superhighway.
The funding approval was disclosed by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, during the groundbreaking ceremony for Section One, Phase One of the project—a 125-kilometre stretch linking Akwanga and Jos through parts of Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau states.
The superhighway is one of the Federal Government’s flagship infrastructure projects and is expected to improve transportation, enhance security, connect communities across the North-Central and North-East, and stimulate economic activities along the corridor.
Representing the President at the ceremony, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, performed the groundbreaking for the first phase of the project.
In his address, Tinubu described the project as a strategic investment that extends beyond road construction, saying it would strengthen economic growth and improve the lives of millions of Nigerians.
“I feel highly delighted, believe me, highly delighted to be here today to commence the construction and flag off of the fourth Legacy Project of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
This project, the construction of the Akwanga-Kaduna-Jos-Bauchi-Biu-Maiduguri Superhighway, is a critical component of the Federal Government’s road infrastructure development programme aimed at enhancing connectivity, improving road safety and stimulating socio-economic activities along the corridor,” he said.
The President explained that the 700-kilometre route comprises the Akwanga-Jos, Jos-Bauchi, Bauchi-Gombe, Gombe-Biu and Biu-Maiduguri sections, stressing that the project is designed to connect not only cities but also people, markets and economic opportunities.
“These are not just names of routes. They are communities. They are markets. They are villages. They are state capitals. They are security passages and gateways into one of Nigeria’s most important regions.
“They are distances connecting communities and cities through one of the most important inland passages in the country.
These roads are about people and about development. They are about creating opportunities and opening up the economy,” he stated.
Tinubu revealed that construction had already begun on the Gombe-Maiduguri section, while procurement processes for the remaining segments would be concluded shortly.
He also provided updates on other major highway projects across the country, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and the Trans-Sahara Trade Route.
According to the President, Section One of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos has been substantially completed, while Section Two in Ogun State has reached 60 per cent completion.
He added that Sections 3A and 3B in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states are now 20 per cent complete, while Sections 4A and 4B in Akwa Ibom have attained five per cent completion.
Tinubu further disclosed that work on the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway is progressing steadily, with Section One in Sokoto at 40 per cent completion and Section Two in Kebbi at 60 per cent.
“Let me assure you that with God on our side, we shall complete these projects and deploy them for the benefit of the economic revolution of our country. These roads shall be done and will be successful,” he assured.
He noted that the North-Central geopolitical zone currently has the highest concentration of federal road projects in Nigeria.
“North-Central alone has the highest number of projects in the country. We have 35 major projects, with five already completed and 30 ongoing.
We also have 61 emergency intervention projects across the zone, the highest in the country, and most of them have already been completed,” he said.
Tinubu directed governors and relevant authorities in states hosting the legacy projects to establish setback plans that would accommodate future road expansion and other infrastructure development.
He also urged contractors to involve youths in host communities through employment opportunities and skills development.
“Please do not just be contractors; be our development partners. Train our youths, transfer talents, build skills and create jobs in the communities.
Ensure that our young people are part and parcel of the opportunities that these projects will create,” he said.
Earlier, the Minister of Works announced that the President had authorised the immediate release of N111 billion to the contractor to facilitate mobilisation to the project site.
“To the glory of God, you will not stop this project. Let me announce that the President has approved the immediate release of N111bn to this contractor for take-off.
While I was here, the Minister of Finance sent me a letter and said, ‘Please give us the original documents of the President’s approval so that we can pay.’ Therefore, the contractor is going to be paid this week,” Umahi said.
Umahi described the Akwanga-Maiduguri Superhighway as a transformative national infrastructure project that would strengthen physical and economic integration across Nigeria.
According to him, the 700-kilometre corridor will seamlessly connect with other major highways currently under construction, creating an integrated transport network across the country.
“This is Section One of the fourth Legacy Project of Mr President. Three weeks ago, we were in Gombe State where we flagged off Section Two of this route.
The entire stretch is 700 kilometres, taking off from Akwanga, passing through Kaduna, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and Biu to Maiduguri.
“The story here is that the four legacy projects of President Bola Tinubu are connecting the six geopolitical zones of this country. What a fair President. The entire four legacy projects are connected.
You can start from one point in Nigeria and travel seamlessly to another. No other administration ever attempted this. This is magical and this is miraculous.”
The minister said the projects would shorten travel time, improve security, facilitate trade and contribute significantly to economic growth.
“When the distance between one and the other is shortened, when Nasarawa is very close to Ebonyi, when Ebonyi is very close to Cross River, when Cross River is close to Sokoto, then that is the GDP that we are looking at.
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Infrastructure is what grows every other sector of the economy. When roads are cut off, and people cannot move from one point to another, it is like they are in prison.
Umahi disclosed that the Federal Government would provide 30 per cent of the project funding directly, while the remaining 70 per cent would be sourced through foreign financing arrangements.
“We are asking contractors who have the ability because 30 per cent is being funded by the Federal Government, while 70 per cent is going to come from foreign loans.
If you have the ability to source foreign financing, please come. We still have many sections to give out, provided you are competitive.”
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to reinforced concrete technology for federal highways, arguing that many asphalt roads had failed prematurely.
“I have outlawed the use of asphalt in the Ministry of Works. It can only be President Bola Tinubu’s reinforced concrete technology.
We have seen roads that did not last up to three years before they failed. That is why we are insisting on concrete pavement technology that can stand the test of time.”
He also urged contractors to contribute to community development by creating jobs and equipping young people with practical skills.
“Contractors should not just come and build roads and leave. They should train our youths, transfer skills, create jobs, and build economies around these communities so that our people can directly benefit from these projects.”
Commending Tinubu’s infrastructure agenda, Umahi described the President as an “infrastructure guru” whose projects are transforming transportation across Nigeria.
“I am so lucky to have a President who is an infrastructure guru. Nigerians are taking note of the great work the President is doing.
The President is connecting the entire country and laying the foundation for economic growth and national integration.”
The Akwanga-Maiduguri Superhighway is the fourth Legacy Project under Tinubu’s administration, following the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Calabar-Abuja Superhighway and the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.
The first phase of the project covers a 125-kilometre stretch from Akwanga to Jos and forms part of the wider 700-kilometre corridor, which also includes the Jos-Bauchi, Bauchi-Gombe, Gombe-Biu and Biu-Maiduguri sections.
Designed as a 12-metre-wide carriageway, the highway will be constructed using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement technology with high-tensile steel reinforcement. The project also includes bridges, drainage systems and other hydraulic structures.
Upon completion, the superhighway is expected to reduce travel time, improve trade and logistics, strengthen national integration and stimulate economic development in communities along the route.
The approval of N111 billion for the Akwanga-Jos section represents one of the largest mobilisation releases for a federal highway project under the current administration, underscoring the government’s commitment to accelerating the delivery of its infrastructure agenda.