Tinubu Flags Off 700km Akwanga–Maiduguri Superhighway, .... As Umahi Announces Releases of N111bn for First Phase

"We are launching the construction of the 125-kilometre Akwanga–Jos carriageway, while other sections, including Jos–Bauchi, Bauchi–Gombe and Gombe–Maiduguri, are at various stages of design, procurement and award." Tinubu.

"The Akwanga–Maiduguri Superhighway is one of four legacy road projects designed to connect all six geopolitical zones of the country." Umahi

.... Says the other projects are; the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Cross River–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja corridor and the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway.

Nigeria's President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday in Akwanga, Nasarawa state inaugurated the the flag off for the construction of the 700-kilometre Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Yobe–Maiduguri Superhighway, marking the commencement of what the Federal Government describes as one of its four flagship legacy infrastructure projects.

The President, represented by the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, performed the groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday in Akwanga, Nasarawa State.

According to President Tinubu, the project forms a critical component of his administration's Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at modernising road infrastructure, stimulating economic growth and improving connectivity across Northern Nigeria.

He disclosed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the project for phased implementation, beginning with the 125-kilometre Akwanga–Jos section traversing Nasarawa, Kaduna and Plateau states.

"The entire 700-kilometre corridor will link Akwanga, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe and Maiduguri, while mobilisation has already commenced on the Gombe–Maiduguri axis.

"We are launching the construction of the 125-kilometre Akwanga–Jos carriageway, while other sections, including Jos–Bauchi, Bauchi–Gombe and Gombe–Maiduguri, are at various stages of design, procurement and award," he said.

The Akwanga underpass

The President noted that the highway would connect major cities, state capitals, commercial hubs and farming communities, thereby enhancing the movement of people and goods, deepening national integration and boosting economic activities.

Tinubu added that the Akwanga–Maiduguri corridor complements other signature projects of his administration, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway and the Trans-Sahara Trade Route.

He revealed that the Federal Government is currently executing 35 major road projects nationwide, with five completed and 30 under construction, alongside 61 emergency intervention projects across the North-Central zone.

The President directed the Minister of Works, the Surveyor-General of the Federation and governors of states along the highway corridor to safeguard the right-of-way for future expansion and supporting infrastructure. He also urged contractors to prioritise the employment and training of youths from host communities throughout the construction period.

Speaking at the event, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced that President Tinubu had approved N111 billion as initial funding for the first phase of the project, with contractors expected to commence physical work within one week.

Umahi explained that the Akwanga–Maiduguri Superhighway is one of four legacy road projects designed to connect all six geopolitical zones of the country.

The other projects, he said, are the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, the Cross River–Ebonyi–Benue–Nasarawa–Abuja corridor and the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway.

According to the minister, the interconnected road network will significantly reduce travel time, enhance interstate commerce, strengthen security and accelerate regional economic development.

He also defended the government's decision to adopt reinforced concrete pavement technology for major highways, saying it offers greater durability and lower maintenance costs than conventional asphalt roads.

On behalf of governors in the benefiting states, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang described the project as "a dream come true," noting that it would improve access to markets, strengthen agricultural value chains and facilitate movement across Plateau, Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe, Borno, Adamawa and Taraba states.

He commended President Tinubu for fulfilling his promise to include the road among the administration's legacy infrastructure projects and expressed confidence that the Federal Government would complete the superhighway as planned.

This version is structured to read like a standard national newspaper report, with political remarks urging support for a second term trimmed to keep the focus on the news while preserving the major facts and figures. If you prefer a more political angle, I can also produce that version.