By Musa Ibrahim
The federal government has linked the ongoing reconstruction of the 375-kilometre Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway to improved trade, safer travel and stronger economic connections across Northern Nigeria, as work advances on one of the region’s major transport corridors.
Speaking at the project’s flag-off ceremony in Tamburawa, Kumbotso Local Government Area of Kano State, Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, said the highway would ease the movement of goods and passengers while supporting economic activities along its route.
Sen. Umahi said the administration of President Bola Tinubu had completed nearly 400 kilometres of inherited and newly awarded roads in the North-West within three years. He also said that more than 149 emergency road projects had also been completed across the zone.
Providing an update on the highway, the minister said 81 kilometres of reinforced concrete pavement between Abuja and Jere in Kaduna State had been completed. Work on Section Two, covering 164 kilometres, had reached 148 kilometres, leaving less than 20 kilometres outstanding, according to his remarks.
The government has also directed the installation of solar streetlights along the entire 375-kilometre corridor. Sen. Umahi said the measure was intended to improve visibility and strengthen road safety, particularly at night.
The project carries economic implications beyond shorter or safer journeys. Better road connectivity can reduce transportation bottlenecks, improve access to markets and make it easier for businesses to move agricultural produce, manufactured goods and other commodities between major commercial centres.
However, the scale of these benefits will depend on the quality of construction, timely completion and effective maintenance after the road becomes operational.
Sen. Umahi identified other major road projects in the region, including the 350-kilometre Sokoto-Zamfara-Zaria Road, the 132-kilometre Kano-Kongolam Road, the 159-kilometre Zaria-Hunkuyi Road and the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry highway.
He also cited the Kano Northern Bypass and internal road projects as part of efforts to improve movement within Kano and strengthen links with neighbouring communities.
The minister urged Nigerians to support the federal government’s economic reforms, arguing that they were beginning to deliver benefits.
Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf commended the federal government’s commitment to the highway project, emphasising the importance of road infrastructure to the movement of people and goods.
He also appealed to the government to intensify the reconstruction and rehabilitation of federal roads across Kano State to improve service delivery.
Ultimately, the highway’s significance will be measured not only by kilometres completed, but also by its contribution to lower transport costs, stronger market access and increased commercial activity across Northern Nigeria.
