The Federal Government has set a firm deadline of November 2026 to complete the remaining 164 kilometres of the critical Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano dual carriageway.
The Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, made the announcement on Monday, August 10, 2026, during a courtesy visit by the national leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) at the Ministry of Works Headquarters in Mabushi, Abuja.
While addressing the student delegation, led by NANS President Comrade Babatunde Akinteye, Umahi detailed the financial and technical progress achieved on the strategic 375-kilometre corridor (totaling 750 kilometres across both dual carriageways).
The Minister clarified that the Federal Government had previously spent over N200 billion on the portion awarded to construction firm Julius Berger, which completed 240 kilometres on each carriageway (480 kilometres combined). Under the current administration, an unprecedented milestone was reached by delivering 118 kilometres of the highway using durable concrete pavement within 30 months.
Efforts are currently concentrated on completing the final 164 kilometres (comprising 82 kilometres on each carriageway), bringing the ongoing twin projects managed under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to a total value of N752 billion.
“Both of these projects are costing us N752 billion under the President. Over 80 per cent has been paid. We believe that by November, the entire stretch will have been completed,” Umahi stated.
Highlighting concerns over asset destruction, specifically instances where individuals attempted to break open concrete pavements to extract steel reinforcement bars.
Umahi unveiled key enhancement facilities that include; Solar-powered streetlights that will be installed at 30-metre intervals along the arterial road to improve visibility and deter vandalism.
Following the recent deployment of security officers on the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, dedicated “Superhighway Guards” will be established to patrol the Abuja–Kano route and protect critical state assets.
During the visit, the student union decorated Minister Umahi as the Grand Patron of NANS in recognition of his performance and dedication to national infrastructure development.
In response, NANS President Babatunde Akinteye commended the ministry’s work, emphasizing that improved road infrastructure directly impacts students by easing transit to academic institutions nationwide, enhancing safety, and fostering job creation for young Nigerians.
Umahi urged NANS to establish regional inspection teams to independently monitor federal road projects across Nigeria, reiterating the government’s commitment to transparency, safety, and accountability.
