*The Federal Government discloses the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s fourth legacy highway project is a flagship infrastructure initiative expected to link several communities across the North-Central and North-East geopolitical zones, towards improving security, easing off transportation, and stimulating economic activities in the region
Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, Wednesday, July 1, 2026, flagged off the construction of the fourth legacy highway project of his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Tinubu subsequently, approved the immediate release of N111 billion for the commencement of the 700-kilometre Akwanga-Jos-Bauchi-Gombe-Biu-Maiduguri Highway, in Northern Nigeria.
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ConsumerConnect reports H. E. Engr. (Senator) David Umahi, Honourable Minister for Works, disclosed the approval of the project cum take off capital during the groundbreaking ceremony for Section One, Phase One of the project.
It is a 125-kilometre stretch traversing Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau states in the North.
The government revealed the project said to be one of the administration’s flagship infrastructure initiatives, would link communities across the North-Central and North-East geopolitical zones, to improve security, ease transportation and stimulate economic activities.
Tinubu, represented on the occasion by Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, National Chairman of the governing All Progressives Congress, performed the groundbreaking ceremony for Section One, Phase One of the project.
Phase One is said to be a 125-kilometre stretch, running from Akwanga to Jos through Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau states.
In his address at the event, President Tinubu described the new highway project as more than a road project.
The Nigerian leader emphasised that the road infrastructure would serve as a major economic and social artery for millions of the citizens.
He also stated: “I feel highly delighted, believe me, highly delighted to be here today to commence the construction and flag off of the fourth Legacy Project of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This project, the construction of the Akwanga-Kaduna-Jos-Bauchi-Biu-Maiduguri Superhighway, is a critical component of the Federal Government’s road infrastructure development programme aimed at enhancing connectivity, improving road safety and stimulating socio-economic activities along the corridor.”
Highlighting the stretch of the project across three states, the President noted that the entire highway covers about 700 kilometres, and cuts across several strategic routes including Akwanga-Jos, Jos-Bauchi, Bauchi-Gombe, Gombe-Biu and Biu-Maiduguri respectively.
According to him, the upcoming road infrastructure is not merely about connecting cities but about linking people, markets and opportunities.
Tinubu averred: “These are not just names of routes. They are communities. They are markets. They are villages. They are state capitals.
“They are security passages and gateways into one of Nigeria’s most important regions.”
President Tinubu further explained: “They are distances connecting communities and cities through one of the most important inland passages in the country.
“These roads are about people and about development. They are about creating opportunities and opening up the economy.”
Tinubu, in his presentation, said that work had already commenced on the Gombe-Maiduguri axis of the project, assuring Nigerians that the remaining sections would soon be procured and awarded.
Updates on other major raid projects
The President as well used the occasion to provide updates on other major road projects across the West African country.
These, he noted, include the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Highway and the Trans-Sahara Trade Route.
The President said Section One of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, in Lagos, had been substantially completed, while Section Two in Ogun State had attained 60 percent completion as of Wednesday.
Tinubu also stated that Sections 3A and 3B in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states have reached 20 percent completion, while Sections 4A and 4B in Akwa Ibom are at five percent completion.
The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway is progressing steadily, with Section One in Sokoto reaching 40 percent completion and Section Two in Kebbi attaining 60 percent completion, said he.
The President declared: “Let me assure you that with God on our side, we shall complete these projects and deploy them for the benefit of the economic revolution of our country.
“These roads shall be done and will be successful.”
Tinubu further revealed that the North-Central zone currently has the highest number of ongoing federal road projects in the country.
Stated he: “North-Central alone has the highest number of projects in the country.
“We have 35 major projects, with five already completed and 30 ongoing.
“We also have 61 emergency intervention projects across the zone, the highest in the country, and most of them have already been completed.”
President Tinubu as well directed State Governors and relevant authorities in states where the legacy road projects pass through to establish setback plans for future road expansion and infrastructure development.
He equally urged contractors to engage youths in host communities by creating jobs and transferring skills.
Tinubu cautioned: “Please do not just be contractors; be our development partners.
“Train our youths, transfer talents, build skills and create jobs in the communities.
“Ensure that our young people are part and parcel of the opportunities that these projects will create.”
Umahi: Tinubu has approved N111bn to contractor for immediate mobilisation
Speaking at the event also, Senator Umahi, Minister for Works, affirmed that President Tinubu had approved the immediate release of N111 billion to the contractor handling the project to enable immediate mobilisation to the site.
Umahi stated: “To the glory of God, you will not stop this project. Let me announce that the President has approved the immediate release of N111 billion to this contractor for take-off.
“While I was here, the Minister of Finance sent me a letter and said, ‘Please give us the original documents of the President’s approval so that we can pay.’ Therefore, the contractor is going to be paid this week.”
The Minister also described the Akwanga-Maiduguri Highway as a defining infrastructure project that would physically and economically unite Nigerians.
Tinubu’s four legacy road projects are unprecedented in Nigeria’s history, Umahi said.
He further noted, “This is Section One of the fourth Legacy Project of Mr President.
“Three weeks ago, we were in Gombe State where we flagged off Section Two of this route. “The entire stretch is 700 kilometres, taking off from Akwanga, passing through Kaduna, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe and Biu to Maiduguri.”
The Minister said: “The story here is that the four legacy projects of President Bola Tinubu are connecting the six geopolitical zones of this country. What a fair President.
“The entire four legacy projects are connected. You can start from one point in Nigeria and travel seamlessly to another.
“No other administration ever attempted this. This is magical and this is miraculous.”
He as well explained that the road projects represent more than the construction of highways.
The projects will reduce travel time, boost trade, improve security and drive economic growth, said the Minister.
Umahi added: “When one distance to the other is shortened, when Nasarawa is very close to Ebonyi, when Ebonyi is very close to Cross River, when Cross River is close to Sokoto, then that is the GDP that we are looking at.
“Infrastructure is what grows every other sector of the economy. When roads are cut off and people cannot move from one point to another, it is like they are in prison.”
Umahi disclosed that the Federal Government would finance only 30 percent of the project directly, while the remaining 70 percent would come through foreign financing arrangements.
He, therefore, urged capable contractors to partner with the government on other sections yet to be awarded.