The Federal Government on Tuesday flagged off the reconstruction of the 122km Kaduna–Birnin Gwari Road, with the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, saying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms are already delivering tangible results across the country.
Umahi spoke on August 4, 2026 at the Afaka Mando Arena during the official flag-off ceremony. He described the project as a fulfillment of a campaign promise by President Tinubu and a key part of the Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at boosting regional connectivity, commerce and security.
“We are using this road infrastructure to fix the economic problems we met on ground, we are using road infrastructure to fight the insecurity we met on the ground, we are using road building to fight hunger we met on the ground,” Umahi said. He added that the administration is also addressing “injustices” where some states previously had no federal projects, citing Plateau, Gombe, Ebonyi and Kaduna.
The Minister said the Kaduna–Birnin Gwari corridor will significantly cut travel time between Northern Nigeria and Lagos.
“By doing this road the president is shortening the distance between the north and Lagos. This is the shortest route to Lagos State. Because by the time it gets to Birnin Gwari, it leads to Niger then it connects Kwara, Osun, Oyo, and Lagos. What more can we say, this is a very important road,” he stated.
Umahi also referenced improvements on the Abuja–Kaduna highway, noting that attacks that once made travel dangerous “are now a thing of the past since the Abuja-Kaduna road project started.”
He dismissed criticism that government was neglecting existing roads for new ones, listing ongoing rehabilitations including Sokoto–Zamfara–Funtua–Zaria, Enugu–Onitsha, Makurdi–9th Mile, Bodo–Bonny, and Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano.
“When a road is built it is a catalyst. It is a GDP that grows other GDPs. When a road is built insecurity is minimized, there is an agricultural revolution. When a road is built there is an increase in commerce and education,” Umahi said.
The Minister further announced that President Tinubu has approved a 50-kilometre internal light rail project for Kaduna State worth $868 million. He congratulated Governor Uba Sani, describing him as “a goal getter.”
Umahi urged the opposition to offer constructive criticism. “Democracy is by choice, the people criticizing us should be constructive, it should not be insulting, deceitful, or saying mundane things. I can testify that when you criticize us constructively we have always gone to attend to such.”
President Tinubu was represented at the event by Governor Uba Sani. The governor recalled that Tinubu visited Birnin Gwari before becoming president despite security challenges and promised to reconstruct the road and restore peace.
“No President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has done what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has done for us here in Northern Nigeria and I challenge everyone to come up with anything contrary to what I am saying,” Sani said.
The Emir of Birnin Gwari, His Royal Highness Alhaji Dr. Zubairu Jibril Maigwari II, also commended the President and governors of the affected states. He said farmers have returned to their farms after years of displacement due to insecurity.
The flag-off signals the start of reconstruction work on the strategic 122km road expected to link Kaduna to Niger State and onward to the Southwest, opening new trade routes for agricultural produce and goods.
