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Minister of Works Debunks Marginalisation Allegation, Lists 756km of Ongoing Northern Road Projects, Challenges Kwankwaso to Public Debate
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Friday, July 26, 2025
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has dismissed as “false, misleading, and self-serving” the claim made by former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is marginalising the North in the allocation of federal road infrastructure projects.
In a strongly worded statement, Umahi called on Kwankwaso to tender an unreserved apology to the President and withdraw what he described as a baseless accusation not supported by verifiable data.
“To my brother Senator Kwankwaso, you owe our dear President an apology and a duty to withdraw your statement using the information I have provided for the benefit of Nigerians and the unity of the nation,” Umahi said.
Tinubu’s Legacy Projects: Facts vs Fiction
To counter Kwankwaso’s assertion, Umahi outlined key ongoing projects under the Tinubu administration across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, emphasizing that the North currently holds 52% of the total project length.
Among the legacy projects listed:
Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway (750km) – 175km under construction
Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway (1,068km) – 378km ongoing in the North
Trans-Sahara Highway (465km) – 59km ongoing in Ebonyi State
Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Road (439km) – redesign underway
“Of the segments already under construction, 756km are in the North, compared to 409km in the South,” Umahi stated.
Additional figures provided by the Minister show significant progress in Kebbi (316km) and Sokoto (240km), with Lagos having only 220km in active work – contrary to widespread public focus on the Lagos-Calabar route.
Northern Projects: Breakdown
Umahi listed other massive Northern road projects, including:
Sokoto–Gusau–Funtua–Zaria (275km) – ₦824bn
Abuja–Kaduna–Kano (700km) – ₦764bn
BUA Tax Credit Road (256km) – Across Jigawa, Katsina, Kano
Kano Northern Bypass (49km)
Zaria–Hunkuyi (156km)
Kano–Maiduguri Section V (110km)
Malando Road, Kebbi (76km)
Benue–9th Mile Road (250km)
Lokoja–Okene Dualisation (86km)
He also noted that under NNPCL Tax Credit schemes, 53% of projects are in the North, with only 4% in the South East and 5% in the South West, yet the President continues funding them in the spirit of national equity.
Southern Projects: Progress Report
In the South, Umahi highlighted major completions and ongoing efforts, such as:
Lagos–Ibadan Expressway
Oyo–Ogbomoso–Ilorin Road
Critical bridge repairs (Third Mainland, Carter, Eko)
Enugu–Onitsha Road (107km) – Funded by MTN
Enugu–Abakaliki Road, Second Niger Bridge Access Roads
Eleme–Onne Road, Eket Bypass, Nembe–Brass Road, Bodo–Bonny Road
He noted that despite pressure from stakeholders in the South West, limited funding constraints remain, especially on routes like Ibadan–Oyo, Ibadan–Ile-Ife–Ilesa, and Ore–Sagamu.
A Call for Unity Over Political Games
Minister Umahi accused Senator Kwankwaso of engaging in political opportunism, alleging that the statement was part of a desperate attempt to align with the legacy of the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Trying to be like our late President Buhari cannot be a job of three decades and cannot be done with deceit. It must be earned through hard work, honesty, and commitment to national unity,” he said.
“Some political leaders aim only to deceive Nigerians and gain political favour instead of promoting unity,” Umahi lamented.
He reaffirmed President Tinubu’s commitment to developing all regions with fairness, equity, and the fear of God, urging Nigerians to disregard Kwankwaso’s claims.
Minister Challenges Kwankwaso to Open Debate
In closing, Umahi challenged anyone with contrary data to an open public debate:
“I am ready to explain further and even face a public debate to set the record straight. Let the truth be known. Let us focus on building a united and developed Nigeria,” he concluded.
The Minister announced that a full list of projects above ₦20 billion in value, both inherited and ongoing, would be published next week to further inform the public and ensure transparency.
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