Kebbi Hails Tinubu Over Sokoto-Badagry Highway, Lists Economic Benefits

The Kebbi State Government has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for reviving and executing the long-conceived Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway project, describing it as a transformative infrastructure initiative capable of boosting economic activities across northern and southern Nigeria.

Speaking on Wednesday in Birnin Kebbi while leading members of the Presidential Media Team and Renewed Hope Ambassadors on an inspection tour of projects in the state, Kebbi Deputy Governor Umar Abubakar Tafida said the project would significantly improve transportation, agriculture, trade and tourism.

Tafida noted that about 258 kilometres of the highway pass through Kebbi State, making it the longest stretch within the project corridor. He said the road would connect the Northwest to the Southwest, opening up economic opportunities for farmers, traders and investors.

According to him, the project reflects President Tinubu’s national development vision because it links key agricultural and commercial hubs across several states.

“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 perishable products such as tomatoes, rice and onions would now reach markets faster with fewer losses caused by poor road networks.

The deputy governor said the highway project was originally conceived more than 45 years ago during the administration of late President Shehu Shagari, but was only actualised under Tinubu’s administration after a review of its design and masterplan.

He also praised the quality of work being carried out on the road, including the use of concrete pavement and solar-powered streetlights, while assuring that the state government was working closely with security agencies to protect workers and host communities.

Leading the inspection team, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, said visible progress on the project had silenced critics who doubted the administration’s commitment to delivering the legacy infrastructure.

Dare said the 1,068-kilometre highway, which will pass through seven states, forms part of the Tinubu administration’s broader strategy to drive national development through infrastructure investment.

“The very essence of our coming is to set the record straight and showcase the achievements of the administration of President Tinubu in this state and the Northwest as a region. Seeing is believing,” he said.

He added that projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway were central to the administration’s goal of building a $1 trillion economy.

Also speaking, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (Northwest), Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai, described the project as vital for food security and regional economic growth, noting that dams and other supporting infrastructure would be developed along the corridor to encourage year-round farming.

At the project site, Site Engineer Malami Aliyu disclosed that construction work in Kebbi covered Phases 2A and 2B, stretching from kilometre 120 to kilometre 385.

According to him, site clearance, filling works, stone base and sub-surface works were progressing steadily, while concrete pavement construction and streetlight installation had covered 19 kilometres.

Aliyu said Section 2A had reached 40 per cent completion, while Section 2B stood at 16 per cent, adding that there were no major challenges affecting construction activities in the state.