The Kebbi State Government has praised President Bola Tinubu for reviving and advancing the long-awaited Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway project, describing it as a transformative infrastructure initiative capable of boosting trade, agriculture and regional economic growth.
The Kebbi State Government has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reviving and advancing the long-awaited Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway project, describing it as a major economic and infrastructural breakthrough for Northern Nigeria and the country at large.
Deputy Governor Umar Abubakar Tafida made the remarks on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi while leading members of the Presidential Media Team and the Renewed Hope Ambassadors on an inspection tour of federal and state government-funded projects across the state.
Tafida noted that the largest stretch of the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, covering approximately 258 kilometres, passes through Kebbi State, adding that the project would strengthen economic ties between Northern and Southwestern Nigeria. According to him, the highway will create significant opportunities for farmers, traders, transporters and tourists by improving connectivity between major agricultural and commercial hubs across the country.
He said the project reflects Tinubu’s broad national development vision because it cuts across several states while linking regions critical to food production and commerce.
Tafida explained that agricultural products such as rice, tomatoes and onions produced in Kebbi would now reach markets faster, reducing losses caused by poor transportation infrastructure and delays.
“Transport and development go hand in hand. Farmers will now find it easier to move equipment and transport farm produce to markets quickly,” he said.
He added that the highway project, originally conceived more than 45 years ago during the administration of late President Shehu Shagari, had remained unrealised until the Tinubu administration reviewed the masterplan and commenced implementation.
The deputy governor also praised the quality of construction work, particularly the use of concrete pavement and solar-powered street lighting, while assuring that the state government was working closely with security agencies to protect workers and host communities.
Speaking during the inspection, Sunday Dare said the visible progress recorded on the project had effectively silenced critics who doubted the administration’s commitment to delivering the ambitious infrastructure plan.
Dare stated that the inspection tour was designed to showcase ongoing achievements of the Tinubu administration in the Northwest region and provide evidence of progress across strategic sectors.
“We’re standing on concrete roads. We’re seeing testimonials from people in these communities who say this project was abandoned for decades and has now been reactivated,” he said.
According to him, the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway and the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway are central components of the administration’s broader economic vision aimed at building a $1 trillion economy through strategic infrastructure investments.
He described the project as one of the most ambitious road infrastructure developments in Nigeria’s history, noting that it would unlock economic activities in previously inaccessible communities.
Also speaking, Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai described the highway as critical to food security and regional economic expansion.
Yakasai revealed that the corridor would include dams and supporting infrastructure designed to support year-round farming and facilitate the movement of agricultural produce nationwide.
At the project site, Federal Ministry of Works confirmed that construction work on the Kebbi section was progressing according to schedule.
Site Engineer Malami Aliyu disclosed that the section under construction covers Phases 2A and 2B, stretching from kilometre 120 to kilometre 385.
He stated that site clearance, filling works, stone base installation and sub-surface works were advancing steadily, while concrete pavement construction and streetlight installation had already covered 19 kilometres.
Aliyu added that Section 2A had reached 40 per cent completion while Section 2B stood at 16 per cent completion, noting that no major challenges were currently affecting construction activities in Kebbi State.
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