FG Flags Off Akwanga–Jos Super Highway, Says Legacy Projects Will Boost Economic Growth
The Federal Government has flagged off the construction of Section One of the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Super Highway, describing it as a major infrastructure project that will stimulate economic growth, improve connectivity and strengthen national integration.
Speaking at the flag-off ceremony in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, on Wednesday, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, said the project is a key component of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Idris described the President’s four Legacy Highway Projects as strategic investments designed to transform Nigeria’s economy through improved transportation, increased trade and job creation.
“President Tinubu is not just building roads; he is building economic corridors that will facilitate trade, create jobs, connect communities and drive inclusive national development. This is Renewed Hope in action,” he said.
The minister noted that the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe Super Highway is one of the administration’s four flagship Legacy Highway Projects, alongside the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway and the Trans-Saharan Route.
He also highlighted other achievements of the Tinubu administration, including economic reforms aimed at improving investor confidence, expanding access to higher education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), promoting industrialisation and strengthening the country’s economic outlook.
Responding to questions from journalists, Idris dismissed claims of regional imbalance in federal infrastructure development, insisting that the Legacy Highway Projects cut across different parts of the country and reflect the administration’s commitment to inclusive development.
Representing President Tinubu at the event, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, said the project demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to using infrastructure as a catalyst for economic transformation.
Earlier, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, formally flagged off the construction of the 125-kilometre Akwanga–Jos section of the 700-kilometre Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe–Yobe–Maiduguri Super Highway.
Umahi said the highway would be executed in phases to improve transportation, boost commercial activities and accelerate development across the North Central and North-East regions.
He disclosed that the North Central currently has 35 major federal road projects and 61 emergency intervention projects, urging contractors to engage local youths and promote skills transfer while calling on host communities to protect the infrastructure.
The ceremony was attended by the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, Governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, the Minister of Women Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers and other senior government officials.
FG Flags Off Akwanga–Jos Super Highway, Says Legacy Projects Will Boost Economic Growth