Abuja-Kano Highway: FG Targets November Completion Of Remaining 164km – Umahi

The Federal Government has set November 2026 as the target for completing the remaining 164-kilometre stretch of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway.

The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja when the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) paid him a courtesy visit.

Umahi said the Federal Government had spent more than ₦200 billion on the project, adding that the current phase and other components had received more than 80 per cent payment.

According to him, the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano corridor, which spans 375 kilometres in each direction, making 750 kilometres in total, remains one of the major legacy infrastructure projects of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road is 375 kilometres by two, 750 kilometres.

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“The President funded part of this project. We have spent over ₦200 billion on that project.

“We are back here with the remaining 164 kilometres, 82 kilometres by two.

“Both of these projects are costing us ₦752 billion under the President. Over 80 per cent has been paid. We believe that by November, the entire stretch will have been completed,” he said.

The Minister expressed concern over the vandalism of federal highways, particularly the removal of reinforcement rods and other infrastructure components from ongoing projects.

He said the Federal Government would introduce additional security measures, including the installation of solar streetlights at intervals along the highway to improve visibility and enhance safety.

Umahi said a highway guard initiative, similar to the one recently inaugurated along the Lagos corridor, would also be introduced on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway to curb vandalism and protect public infrastructure.

He said the Federal Government was executing several other major road projects across the country, with concrete pavement being adopted on some strategic routes.

The Minister added that the scope of some legacy projects had been expanded to improve connectivity among communities and facilitate the movement of people, goods and services.

Umahi urged Nigerian youths and students to actively participate in monitoring federal projects and promoting accountability in public infrastructure development.

He said the Ministry of Works was willing to collaborate with NANS and other youth organisations in monitoring projects, while urging them to engage contractors responsibly and avoid blackmail, intimidation or altercations.

“We need to be accountable. If you help us to monitor these projects, please, no blackmail, no intimidation, no altercation with contractors.

“If you do this intelligently and honestly, we are partners,” he said.

The Minister also encouraged young Nigerians to acquire relevant skills and engage in productive activities rather than relying solely on government assistance.

Earlier, the NANS leadership commended the Minister for the infrastructure projects being executed by the Federal Ministry of Works.

The students’ body said improved road infrastructure was particularly important to students who travel across the country for academic activities, examinations, conferences and other engagements.

The NANS leadership expressed interest in strengthening its partnership with the Ministry by monitoring completed and ongoing projects and communicating their impact to students and the wider public.

It noted that infrastructure remained critical to education, economic activity and national development, adding that improved roads could reduce transportation costs and facilitate students’ access to educational institutions.

The association subsequently honoured Umahi as its patron and expressed its readiness to partner with the Ministry on project monitoring and national development.