New Road Interventions as a Relief and a Last Laugh for Niger

Few developments have greater immediate consequence for Niger State than the flag-off of the Lambata-Bida-Mokwa-Makera-Kontagora Federal Highway reconstruction and dualisation. Held in Bida on October 13, 2026, the ceremony was performed on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, alongside Dangote Group Chairman Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Works Minister Senator David Umahi, Information Minister Mohammed Idris and Hi-Tech Construction representatives.

For Nigerlites, the road is a lifeline. It connects the South-West through Kwara, Jebba and Mokwa to the far North, offering millions a direct, affordable route. Yet, for years, it has symbolised grief.

This intervention represents another chapter in a tortuous history of contracts and failed promises. The corridor began as the 124.88-kilometre Bida-Lapai-Lambata Road, awarded to CGC Nigeria Limited in 2018 for N33.3 billion. Six years later, it remained unfinished.

President Buhari’s 2019 Executive Order 007 introduced tax-credit financing, enabling companies to build roads and recover costs through tax credits. NNPC committed N621.24 billion to 21 roads in Phase I, including Bida-Lambata, and N1.97 trillion to 44 roads in Phase II. Poor implementation, tanker-driver protests, accidents and the deadly Essa spillage exposed the consequences of neglect. Following NNPC’s commercialisation in late 2024, its withdrawal left projects uncertain.

Three interventions subsequently converged: emergency repairs ordered by Minister Bello Goronyo on the 123.4-kilometre Bida-Lapai-Lambata stretch, inherited NNPC reconstruction and the new dualisation. In 2026, the Federal Executive Council expanded the corridor to 400.9 kilometres, equivalent to 801.8 carriageway-kilometres, and awarded it to Dangote Group for N1.8325 trillion, replacing the CGC contract, with Hi-Tech Construction executing the project. The N1.5 trillion figure also quoted represents a revised contract envelope.

The arrangement remains a tax-credit public-private partnership, not a toll concession. Dangote finances construction upfront, using reinforced concrete pavement suitable for heavy vehicles, and recovers costs through Federal Inland Revenue Service tax credits under the Ministry of Works’ supervision. His experience on the Obajana-Kabba and Apapa-Oshodi highways, cement capacity and logistics interests strengthen the rationale for his involvement.

Beyond Niger, the road is a vital north-south connection linking Lagos with Sokoto, Kebbi and Niger. Carrying over 60 per cent of petroleum products transported to the North, it provides an alternative when the Abuja-Lokoja route is flooded or the Jebba-Mokwa bridge fails. Its deterioration has crippled Bida’s rice and shea markets, increased transport costs, endangered the IBB University, Lapai community, and caused tanker explosions and gridlocks lasting days.

Umahi disclosed that Niger accounts for 1,055 kilometres of the 5,500 kilometres of new and ongoing federal road projects nationwide. Other interventions include the 306.5-kilometre Mokwa-Bida, Mokwa-Makera and Bida-Lambata roads, the 52-kilometre Dabban-Makina Road, Dikko-Maje on Suleja-Minna, and sections of Bida-Zungeru-Wushishi, Minna-Zungeru-Tegina-Kontagora and Gwada-Shiroro.

Nevertheless, delivery, not ceremonial announcements, will determine success. Despite its strategic location and consistent support for ruling parties since 1999, Niger has endured ridicule over poor roads. Successive administrations, from Abdullahi Kure to Babangida Aliyu and Abubakar Sani Bello, struggled to rehabilitate the state-owned Bida-Minna Road and secure effective federal intervention.

Public scepticism is understandable. The proximity to elections and the tanker drivers’ latest blockade have encouraged suspicions of political grandstanding. Abandoned contracts reinforce such doubts.

Still, Dangote-backed tax-credit financing offers potential continuity beyond annual budgets and electoral cycles. Proper drainage, truck parks and maintenance will be essential to ending recurring repairs and gridlocks.

Credit belongs to Dangote, Governor Bago, Hon. Saidu Musa Abdullahi, the Bida/Gbako/Katcha representative, and the Bida Forum, led by Malam Muhammad Jameel Muhammad, for pressing the Ministry of Works. Tanker drivers also deserve recognition for forcing attention.

For Nigerlites, this is relief. After years of mockery, it may yet be the last laugh.