Sokoto–Badagry Highway: Shagari’s Dream Of 47 Years Ago Now Realised By Tinubu – Umahi

Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, has said that the dream of Nigeria’s first democratically elected president, late Alhaji Shehu Shagari, was being realised now under President Bola Tinubu with the construction of the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway.

Umahi stated this on Friday at the eighth edition of the Ministerial Press Briefing Session, held at the National Press Centre in Abuja.

He noted that the project, first conceptualised by the Shagari administration 47 years ago, was being actualised by President Tinubu, who renamed it from Badagry–Sokoto to Sokoto–Badagry. He added that Section One of the dual carriageway has now been awarded.

The minister stressed that the Ministry of Works, under Tinubu’s directive, will minimise the use of foreign contractors and prioritise local products and services in road construction projects.

“The Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway was a dream of the Shagari administration 47 years ago. It was originally Badagry–Sokoto, but President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his detribalised approach, directed it to be renamed Sokoto–Badagry. The terrain covers 1,068 kilometres by two, and only a visionary leader could undertake such a monumental project,” Umahi said.

He also announced changes to the contractor mobilisation process, in line with the Procurement Act, stating that contractors must now mobilise to site within 30 days of contract signing or face automatic termination.

“We are classifying contractors by capacity and ability to empower local firms. We’ve also launched the ‘New Tool’ programme, where five unemployed civil engineers from each state are posted to legacy projects for hands-on training,” he said.

Umahi highlighted that concrete pavements—now being prioritised over asphalt—are more transparent in quality and less prone to manipulation.

“Roads built with asphalt last just one year. With concrete, poor quality is immediately visible. That’s why some are fighting me,” he added.

He commended President Tinubu for his economic direction, noting improvements in GDP, inflation, foreign exchange, and debt status. “The World Bank says we are no longer owing them. Let’s appreciate Mr President, the roadmaster and a man of uncommon courage,” he said.

Earlier in his address, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, said President Tinubu’s bold reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda were beginning to yield measurable results.

He cited fresh data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which showed a drop in headline inflation to 23.71% in April 2025—a 0.52% decrease from March. Month-on-month inflation also fell from 3.90% to 1.86%.

“This improvement didn’t happen by chance. The President’s focused interventions are paying off. Food inflation has slowed due to strategic interventions, easing pressures on staple goods like maize, rice, yam flour, and beans,” Idris said.

He acknowledged that challenges remained but expressed optimism that easing inflation will improve purchasing power and living standards.