President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday commissioned Section III of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano expressway, stretching across Kaduna and Kano states.
Represented at the ceremony by Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, the president highlighted the project’s role as a vital transport artery linking Kano, Kaduna, and other key commercial regions across the country.
The completion of Section III is expected to significantly improve driving conditions, mitigate hazards caused by deteriorated road surfaces, and substantially reduce accidents and casualties along the heavily trafficked corridor.
Delivering the president’s address, Governor Yusuf commended the federal administration for prioritising strategic infrastructure aimed at boosting transportation, trade, and regional economic integration across northern Nigeria.
He emphasised that durable road networks remain essential for connecting communities, facilitating the seamless flow of goods, and fostering a competitive business environment.
“The Kano–Zaria corridor is of paramount strategic importance due to Kano’s position as the primary commercial hub serving multiple northern states,” Governor Yusuf noted.
He added that sustained investment in transport infrastructure would boost agricultural value chains, broaden market access, and unlock new economic opportunities for transport operators and small businesses.
Advocating closer intergovernmental alignment, the governor urged the federal government to maintain momentum on high-impact road construction and rehabilitation across Kano State to handle heavy commercial tonnage.
The Kano State Government also appealed to motorists travelling the newly completed highway to observe speed limits, avoid reckless overtaking, and strictly comply with traffic regulations to protect lives and property.
About the road project
The comprehensive reconstruction of the 375 km Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Dual Carriageway was awarded in late 2017, and flag-off operations officially began in 2018 under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
Executed by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the project was designed to rebuild one of Nigeria’s busiest arterial roads, which had suffered decades of neglect and severe deterioration.
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Initially funded through budgetary allocations and later backed by the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF) (managed by the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority – NSIA).
The multi-billion naira project faced delays due to security concerns along the corridor, funding bottlenecks, right-of-way issues, and scope adjustments (transitioning from asphalt repairs to full cold-in-place recycling and thick asphalt concrete pavement for durability).
To optimise execution, the highway was divided into three main sections: Section I: Abuja – Kaduna (165 km), which is still under construction, section II: Kaduna – Zaria (73.4 km) completed, section III: Zaria – Kano (137 km / Kaduna–Kano stretch) completed under President Tinubu.
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