Northern Nigeria Surges Ahead in Tinubu’s Era of Renewed Hope

The Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, has declared that Northern Nigeria is among the biggest beneficiaries of President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure push under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

Speaking at a government-citizen engagement forum hosted by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Memorial Foundation in Kaduna on Wednesday, Alkali highlighted the administration’s significant strides in road, rail, housing, and energy projects across the region.

Alkali pointed to accelerated progress in several stalled projects, noting that the Kaduna–Kano standard gauge railway.

According to him, it was only 15% complete when the Tinubu administration took office, has now reached 53% completion, with full delivery targeted for 2026.

Similarly, the Kano–Maradi railway, linking northern Nigeria to Niger Republic, has advanced from just 5% to 61% completion.

On the other hand, construction along portions of the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri narrow gauge corridor is also underway.

One of the administration’s flagship road projects, Alkali noted, is the massive 1,068km Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway.

It will connect Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun, and Lagos States, forming a crucial artery for national integration and trade.

“The North is not being sidelined, far from it,” the minister emphasized.

“We are seeing tangible transformation across transport, energy, and housing.

“The impact is real, and the projects are on the ground.”

He credited President Tinubu’s personal diplomatic efforts, particularly with Chinese stakeholders, for unlocking key financing agreements that had previously stalled several large-scale infrastructure works.

Alkali also noted that rehabilitation efforts on the Lagos–Kano narrow gauge railway had commenced to boost freight transportation.

It has also commenced to operationalize inland dry ports, especially in Kano and Kaduna.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the minister outlined multiple ongoing projects, including interchanges and multi-span bridges.

It also includes newly dualised roads aimed at improving movement and accessibility between Abuja and surrounding states.

Beyond transport, Alkali revealed that more than 3,000 housing units have been constructed across northern states under the Renewed Hope Cities Initiative.

States currently benefitting from this program include Kano, Katsina, Gombe, Yobe, Benue, and the FCT.

On energy, the minister highlighted efforts by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), which has installed over 1,100 standalone solar home systems.

It has also reportedly instgalled 32 mini-grid power plants across five North-East states, greatly improving access to electricity in off-grid areas.

He also disclosed plans to build modern transport terminals in each geopolitical zone.

According to him, they will be complete with compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling stations, security units, and hygiene facilities.

They will supposedly be as part of a wider effort to modernize Nigeria’s transport network post-subsidy.

The Institute of Transport Technology in Zaria, Alkali said, has now become a hub for training technicians in CNG vehicle conversion.

It is reportedly aligning with Tinubu’s push to reduce fuel costs through alternative energy adoption.

Additionally, he announced that the Federal Government had revived the previously stalled Federal University of Transportation, Daura.

The National Universities Commission (NUC) is now actively mentoring the institution and guiding its academic structure toward full functionality.

Alkali assured northern citizens that the administration is committed to equitable development, adding that the region has no reason to feel neglected under Tinubu’s leadership.

He appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, and civil society to support and safeguard ongoing projects.

Contributing to the discussion, Minister of State for Works, Alhaji Bello Goronyo, highlighted the Sokoto–Zaria highway as a key economic corridor currently undergoing reconstruction.

He said four contractors are simultaneously working on various sections of the road.

“CBC is handling the Sokoto to Talata Mafara stretch, with 24km of reinforced concrete already completed,” Goronyo reported.

He added that work is ongoing on multiple fronts, including Talata Mafara–Kwatarkwashi, Kwatarkwashi–Funtua, and Shika–Zaria.

Goronyo further revealed that dozens of bridges are under construction along the route.

He praised the frequent inspection tours by both himself and the Minister of Works to ensure timely delivery and high-quality standards.

The Minister concluded by stating that many abandoned projects are being reassessed and re-awarded due to renewed budgetary focus.

According to him, this is also due to President Tinubu’s commitment to completing legacy infrastructure projects across all six geopolitical zones.

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