North Reaping Big From Tinubu’s Infrastructure Drive – Ministers

The Ministers of Transportation and State for Works, Saidu Alkali and Barrister Bello Goronyo, have stated that the northern region is among the top beneficiaries of President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure’s push under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking at the Government-Citizen Engagement Interactive Forum organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation (SABMF) in Kaduna, the ministers highlighted the accelerated progress on road, rail, housing, and energy projects across northern states.

Minister of Transportation, Alkali, said several critical projects in the region, including standard and narrow gauge rail lines, inland ports, and highway upgrades have either resumed or received fresh momentum under the Tinubu’s leadership.

He disclosed that the Kaduna–Kano standard gauge railway, which was only 15 percent complete before the current administration came into office, has now reached 53 percent completion and projected to be delivered in 2026.

According to the minister, the Kano–Maradi Rail Line has advanced significantly, moving from five percent to 61 percent, while sections of the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri narrow gauge corridor are also progressing steadily.

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Alkali also highlighted the Sokoto–Badagry Super Highway, a 1,068km national connectivity project linking Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos states, as a strategic example of the North’s inclusion in the government’s infrastructure revolution.

“The North is not left out. In fact, it is reaping big from this government’s infrastructure revolution. From roads and rail to inland ports and power, the evidence is on ground,” Alkali stated.

He credited President Tinubu’s personal engagement with Chinese authorities for unlocking delayed project funding, which has enabled the resumption of major rail projects and rehabilitation of the Lagos–Kano narrow gauge line to support freight transport.

Alkali said over 3,000 housing units have been constructed under the Renewed Hope Cities initiative in Kano, Katsina, Gombe, Yobe, Benue, and the FCT, while the Institute of Transport Technology in Zaria has become a hub for CNG vehicle conversion training.

The minister also revealed that the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) has installed over 1,100 standalone solar systems and 32 mini-grids in five North-East states, boosting access to off-grid power for underserved communities.

For his part, the Minister of State for Works, Barr. Goronyo, in his remarks, emphasised the economic importance of the Sokoto–Zaria Highway, describing it as a vital corridor currently undergoing reconstruction with multiple contractors on site.

Goronyo said CBC Construction has completed 24km of reinforced concrete between Sokoto and Talata Mafara, while other contractors are handling the Talata Mafara–Kwatarkwashi, Kwatarkwashi–Funtua, and Shika–Zaria segments of the project.

He also confirmed that several abandoned infrastructure projects are being reassessed, re-awarded, and monitored closely, with the President’s directive to complete legacy projects across all zones receiving renewed budgetary attention.

Both ministers called on Northern leaders, civil society, and traditional rulers to support the federal government’s development efforts, safeguard infrastructure, and ensure community cooperation for timely project delivery.