The Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, says the Northern region is among the biggest beneficiaries of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in infrastructure development.
Speaking during a Government-Citizens’ Engagement Interactive Session organised by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation on Wednesday in Kaduna, Alkali noted that Tinubu’s administration had significantly accelerated road, rail, and energy projects across the region.
Alkali revealed that the Kaduna–Kano Standard Gauge Rail Line, which was only 15% completed when the administration assumed office, had now reached 53% completion, with delivery expected by 2026. Similarly, the Kano–Maradi rail project had progressed from 5% to 61%, while work continues on the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri Narrow Gauge Corridor.
He also highlighted the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, a 1,068km route traversing Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos States, describing it as a flagship project aimed at enhancing national connectivity and economic integration.
“The North is not left out. In fact, it is reaping big from this government’s infrastructure revolution,” Alkali stated.
“From roads and rail to inland ports and power, the evidence is on ground.”
Alkali credited President Tinubu’s direct engagement with Chinese authorities for unlocking stalled project funding, which allowed several delayed initiatives to resume.
He also confirmed the ongoing rehabilitation of the Lagos–Kano narrow gauge line, aimed at boosting freight services and activating inland dry ports in Kano and Kaduna.
In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the minister said new road interchanges, four-span bridges, and dual carriageways were being developed to ease access to the capital.
Under the Renewed Hope Cities Initiative, over 3,000 housing units have been constructed in Kano, Katsina, Gombe, Yobe, Benue, and the FCT.
In the energy sector, Alkali reported that the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) had installed 1,100 standalone solar systems and 32 mini-grids across five North-East states, improving off-grid power access.
He also disclosed plans for modern transport terminals in each geopolitical zone, complete with CNG refuelling stations, security outposts, and sanitation facilities.
The Institute of Transport Technology in Zaria, he added, has become a centre for training CNG technicians, aligning with Tinubu’s post-subsidy transport reform strategy.
Alkali also confirmed the revival of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura, with the National Universities Commission (NUC) providing academic mentorship.
He called on northern leaders, traditional institutions, and civil society to support and safeguard ongoing projects, stressing that no region is being marginalised under the current administration.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Works, Alhaji Bello Goronyo, emphasised the strategic significance of the Sokoto–Zaria Highway, now undergoing comprehensive reconstruction.
“Four contractors are currently on site,” he said, noting that CBC had completed 24km of reinforced concrete along the Sokoto–Talata Mafara axis, with other sections handled by different contractors stretching to Kwatarkwashi, Funtua, and Shika to Zaria.
Goronyo also highlighted the construction of dozens of bridges along the corridor and commended the joint inspection efforts by the Ministers of Works to ensure quality delivery and accountability.
