PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu has officially launched the construction of the 125-kilometre Akwanga-Jos segment of the Akwanga-Kaduna-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Superhighway while also commissioning two major road projects completed by the Nasarawa State Government.
The events took place yesterday in Akwanga, where the President was represented by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda.
Also present were the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, the governors of Plateau and Gombe states, members of the National Assembly, state officials and traditional rulers.
Speaking during the ceremony, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule described the dualised Akwanga Township Road as one of the landmark achievements of his administration.
He explained that the project was executed without obtaining bank loans, noting that the increased revenue generated through the Federal Government’s economic reforms made the funding possible.
Governor Sule also revealed that every resident and business owner affected by the road construction received full compensation for acquired properties, a step he said helped secure public support and ensured the smooth execution of the project.
He expressed appreciation to Professor Yilwatda for combining the commissioning of the state projects with the flag-off of the federal highway.
In his remarks, President Tinubu praised Governor Sule for extending critical infrastructure development beyond the state capital, describing the projects as evidence of responsible governance.
He noted that the collaboration between the Federal Government and Nasarawa State would strengthen transportation links between Abuja and Akwanga, as well as Makurdi and Akwanga through the newly constructed interchange.
The President also acknowledged the governor’s recognition of the impact of his administration’s economic reforms on state finances.
He directed the Minister of Works and state governors to work with the Surveyor General of the Federation to prepare setback plans that would accommodate future road expansion.
Tinubu further urged contractors handling the projects to prioritise the employment and training of local youths.
The Minister of Works David Umahi said the Akwanga-Jos road forms the first section of Phase One of the Renewed Hope Legacy Road Projects, an initiative designed to improve transportation, promote economic activities and enhance national integration across the country.
According to Umahi, the 125-kilometre stretch cuts across Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau states and serves as part of a larger 700-kilometre superhighway linking Akwanga to Maiduguri through Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and Biu.
He disclosed that construction had already begun on the Gombe-Biu section, while designs for the Jos-Bauchi, Bauchi-Gombe and Biu-Maiduguri segments had reached advanced stages ahead of contract awards.
Providing updates on other federal road projects, the minister stated that the first section of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway in Lagos was nearing completion, while work continued on sections in Enugu, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.
He also said construction was progressing on parts of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway across Sokoto, Kebbi and Oyo states, as well as the Trans-Saharan highway linking Calabar, Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory.
Umahi added that the North Central region currently hosts the highest number of federal road projects nationwide, with 35 major projects underway, including five already completed.
He further announced that President Tinubu had approved the immediate release of ₦111 billion for the first section of the Akwanga-Jos highway, describing the funding as a major boost to the administration’s infrastructure agenda.
Also speaking, Nasarawa APC governorship aspirant for the 2027 election, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, praised Umahi’s performance and commended Governor Sule for what he described as prudent management of public resources.
He called on Nigerians to support President Tinubu with another term to sustain ongoing development initiatives.
Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris also highlighted several achievements of the Tinubu administration over the past three years, including investments in road infrastructure, the National Education Loan Fund and Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list.
He said these accomplishments demonstrated the need for continuity in the administration’s reform programme.
