ABUJA — In a comprehensive move to address growing political narratives concerning the regional distribution of development, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors (RHA) have declared that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has successfully delivered a series of laudable, transformational projects across Northern Nigeria. This declaration follows the conclusion of an extensive media tour conducted in collaboration with the Presidential Media Team, aimed at assessing the physical progress of federal government interventions in the Northwest geopolitical zone.
The tour, which spanned several days and covered key transit corridors from Zuba Junction in the Federal Capital Territory through Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, and ending in Kebbi State, was designed to provide an evidence-based rebuttal to insinuations that the current administration has neglected its campaign promises to the Northern region. According to the RHA, the findings of the delegation suggest that the government has not only kept faith with the North but has prioritized the region in its national infrastructure master plan.
A Hub of Special Intervention
During the post-tour briefing, the RHA highlighted that under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the Federal Ministry of Works has embarked on 260 Special Intervention Projects nationwide. Of this total, the Northwest zone—comprising the states of Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara—accounts for 48 active projects. This figure represents the highest allocation of critical intervention infrastructure projects among the six geopolitical zones in the country.
The ambassadors noted that these projects are strategically designed to act as economic catalysts. By improving transportation networks and modernizing irrigation systems, the federal government aims to boost regional trade, enhance agricultural output, and foster a period of rapid economic growth in a region that serves as Nigeria’s primary food basket.
Reconstruction of Vital Arteries
One of the centerpieces of the tour was the inspection of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway. Long considered a problematic stretch for travelers due to security concerns and dilapidation, the road is undergoing a massive remodeling. The team observed the installation of concrete pavement measuring 20 centimeters in thickness—a standard intended to ensure long-term durability under heavy logistics traffic—complemented by the installation of solar-powered streetlights.
Progress reports indicate that Section 1 of the road, an 82-kilometer stretch handled by Infiouest International Construction Company, is virtually finished. Stretching from Zuba Junction to just beyond Jere, only 300 meters remain to be paved. Meanwhile, Section 2 has officially commenced, with the entire highway slated for completion by November 2024.
In Kaduna, the delegation visited the Western Bye-pass, a dual carriageway project that had been stalled for 22 years. The RHA reported that work has now progressed to 50% completion on the 21-kilometer road, with federal funding currently secured to ensure no further delays.
The Trans-Sahara Connectivity
Perhaps the most ambitious project highlighted during the tour is the Kaduna-Kano-Katsina-Maradi (Niger Republic) railway line. This rail project is envisioned as a trans-border economic corridor that will connect several Northern states with the Niger Republic, facilitating international trade and interstate movement of agricultural goods. In Kaduna, the construction of a flyover bridge specifically for this railway line is underway, with a target completion date of December 2026.
The Jigawa State section of this international railway project is reportedly nearing total completion, marking a major milestone in the effort to link the hinterlands of the North to broader West African markets.
Kano: A Secondary Developmental Epicenter
The tour spent significant time in Kano State, where the federal presence was described as "overwhelming." The Kano end of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway is currently at 95% completion. Beyond roads, the delegation inspected extensive social infrastructure at the Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital. These include a new Cardiovascular Centre, a Pediatric Centre, and student hostels—projects facilitated through the constituency interventions of Deputy Senate President, Senator Jubril Barau.
Environmental and agricultural sustainability also featured prominently. The team inspected a N27 billion irrigation project in Garko, funded through the Federal Government Ecological Fund, as well as a solar energy project managed by the Energy Commission of Nigeria. Furthermore, a 10-hectare Agricultural Incubation Centre has been established at Bayero University, Kano, by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI). This center is tasked with developing and scaling modern technological solutions for local farmers.
On the administrative front, the delegation visited the newly established headquarters of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) along Murtala Mohammed Way. This agency was created specifically by the Tinubu administration to manage the long-term developmental needs of the zone, similar to the mandate of the NDDC in the South-South.
The Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway
Moving toward the edges of the Northwest, the team assessed the progress of the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway in Kebbi State. This massive infrastructure project is divided into Phases 2A and 2B, covering the distance from Kilometer 120 to Kilometer 385. The RHA confirmed that site clearance, stone base works, and concrete pavement construction are progressing according to schedule.
Currently, Section 2A has reached 40% completion, while Section 2B stands at 16%. The project includes modern features such as the widespread installation of streetlights to facilitate safe nighttime logistics and security.
Debunking the Narrative of Neglect
In its concluding statement, the Renewed Hope Ambassadors emphasized that "seeing is believing." They urged critics to move beyond political rhetoric and engage with the physical realities on the ground. The group attributed the allegations of unfairness toward the North to "opposition politicians" and those "writhing in disbelief" ahead of the 2027 political cycle.
With projects ranging from international rail to massive erosion control—such as the N47 billion project in the Wujuwuju-Jakara area taken over by the federal government—the RHA maintained that the development of the Northern region is not just a promise, but an ongoing reality. They asserted that the sheer volume of interventionist work completed within just three years of the administration provides a clear roadmap for the total transformation of the North.
As the various projects move toward their respective completion dates in 2024 and 2026, the administration expects these investments to significantly lower the cost of doing business and improve the general security and quality of life for residents across the Northwest and the broader Northern region.
