FG targets November 2026 to complete remaining 164km Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway
By Aboki Forex —
The Federal Government says the remaining 164km stretch of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway will be completed by November 2026. Works Minister Sen. Dave Umahi gave the update on Monday in Abuja during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), led by its President, Babatunde Akinteye.
Over N200 billion spent
Umahi said the government has spent more than N200 billion on the project. He disclosed that the current phase and other components have received over 80% payment. The entire corridor is expected to be completed by November.
"The Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano road is 375 kilometres by two, 750 kilometres. The President funded part of this project. We have spent over N200 billion on that project," Umahi said.
"We are back here with the remaining 164 kilometres, 82 kilometres by two. 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," he said.
The minister described the corridor as one of the major legacy road projects of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
Vandalism and safety measures
Umahi expressed concern over the vandalism of federal highways, especially the removal of reinforcement rods from concrete sections of roads under construction. He said the Federal Government will inaugurate a highway guard on the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano corridor to protect the infrastructure. Solar streetlights will also be installed at intervals along the highway to improve visibility and safety for motorists.
Makurdi-9th Mile-Enugu highway
The government is also targeting February 2028 for the completion of the dualisation of the 250km Makurdi-9th Mile-Enugu Highway. Federal Controller of Works in Benue, Mukaila Danladi, disclosed the timeline in an update provided by the Presidency via its official WhatsApp Channel.
The highway is being delivered in five sections. Sections 1-3 are in Benue State, while Sections 4-5 are in Enugu State. The corridor connects Makurdi with 9th Mile and Enugu, and is expected to strengthen connectivity between Nigeria's North-Central and South-East regions. It will improve the movement of passengers and cargo and improve access to markets, including Kogi State.
Background on the highway
The Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano highway connects the Federal Capital Territory with Niger, Kaduna and Kano states. The 164km stretch is part of the wider project awarded to Julius Berger in 2017, which stalled before efforts to revive construction under the Tinubu administration.
In January 2024, Umahi announced renewed efforts, including a N20 billion monthly funding commitment. By March 2025, N17 billion had been released, with an additional N33 billion allocated to the project. The Federal Executive Council revised the project's cost to N740.79 billion in September 2024 and approved N507 billion for the second section in March 2025.
What it means
Completion of the remaining stretch would provide a continuous road connection along one of Nigeria's major north-south transport corridors. It would support the movement of passengers and goods between Abuja and the commercial centres of Kaduna, Zaria and Kano.