Tinubu Flags Off 125km Akwanga–Jos Highway, Approves ₦111bn for First Phase

President Bola Tinubu has flagged off the construction of the 125-kilometre Akwanga–Jos section of the Akwanga–Kaduna–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Biu–Maiduguri Superhighway, while also commissioning two major road infrastructure projects executed by the Nasarawa State Government.

The President, represented by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, performed the inauguration during a ceremony in Akwanga on Wednesday.

The event was attended by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, Gombe State Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, lawmakers, members of the Nasarawa State Executive Council and traditional rulers.

Governor Sule described the newly dualised Akwanga Township Road as one of the landmark projects of his administration, noting that it was completed without borrowing from any financial institution.

According to the governor, the project was financed entirely from increased allocations accruing to the state following the Federal Government's economic reforms.

He added that all residents and business owners whose properties were affected during construction were fully compensated, helping the government execute the project with minimal resistance.

Representing the President, Yilwatda commended Sule for extending critical infrastructure development beyond the state capital, describing the projects as evidence of prudent leadership and effective governance.

He said the road projects reflected strong collaboration between the Federal Government and Nasarawa State and would significantly improve connectivity between Abuja and Akwanga, as well as Makurdi and Akwanga through a modern interchange.

The President also praised Governor Sule for acknowledging the positive impact of the Federal Government's economic reforms on state revenues.

Tinubu further directed the Minister of Works and state governors to collaborate with the Surveyor-General of the Federation in preparing road setback plans to accommodate future expansion, while urging contractors to prioritise the training and employment of youths from host communities.

Providing details of the project, Minister of Works David Umahi said the Akwanga–Jos road forms Section One, Phase One of the larger 700-kilometre Akwanga–Maiduguri Superhighway, one of the flagship projects under President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.

He explained that the 125-kilometre stretch cuts across Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau states and is part of a strategic transport corridor linking Akwanga, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe, Biu and Maiduguri.

Umahi disclosed that construction had already commenced on the Gombe–Biu section, while the Jos–Bauchi, Bauchi–Gombe and Biu–Maiduguri segments were currently undergoing design for procurement and contract award.

The minister also gave updates on other legacy road projects nationwide, revealing that Section One of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway had been substantially completed, while construction was progressing across sections in Enugu, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

He added that work was advancing on sections of the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway in Sokoto, Kebbi and Oyo states, while construction was equally ongoing on the Trans-Saharan highway linking Calabar, Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to Umahi, the North Central currently hosts the highest number of Federal Government road projects, with 35 major projects, five of which have already been completed.

The minister further announced that President Tinubu had approved the immediate release of ₦111 billion for the construction of Section One of the Akwanga–Jos Superhighway, describing the funding as a major milestone in delivering the administration's legacy infrastructure programme.

Also speaking, Nasarawa APC governorship aspirant, Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada, praised Umahi for his performance and commended Governor Sule for what he described as the transparent and prudent management of public resources.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the Tinubu administration's achievements over the past three years, including major road infrastructure projects, the rollout of the National Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and Nigeria's removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list demonstrated the need for policy continuity.

He urged Nigerians to support President Tinubu with another term in office to consolidate the administration's ongoing reforms and infrastructure drive.