The Federal Government has flagged off the reconstruction and dualisation of the Lambata-Bida-Mokwa-Makera-Kontagora Federal Highway in Niger State, a project expected to improve transportation, strengthen trade links and ease the movement of agricultural produce and commercial goods.

The ceremony took place in Bida on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, with Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago representing President Bola Tinubu. Minister of Works David Umahi said Niger State accounts for 1,055 kilometres of the 5,500 kilometres of new and ongoing federal road projects being executed nationwide under the administration.

Umahi described the highway as a potential fifth legacy road project of the Tinubu administration, citing its scale, the planned use of reinforced concrete pavement and the participation of the Dangote Group through the Federal Government’s infrastructure tax-credit scheme. He said the approach was intended to support durable road construction and improve connectivity across the region.

Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris said the highway represented a major federal infrastructure investment in Niger State. However, the project’s reported cost requires clarification: a ministry statement issued on October 9 put the value at approximately ₦1.5 trillion, while subsequent reports of the flag-off cited ₦1.8 trillion.

According to Umahi, 162 kilometres of roads and 115 metres of bridges had been completed in the North-Central region. He also commended Bago’s infrastructure programme, claiming that the governor had constructed more than 300 kilometres of roads, over five flyovers and an underpass in the state.

Speaking on behalf of the Dangote Group, the company’s Special Adviser to the President, Mansir Ahmed, said the group was participating through the infrastructure tax-credit scheme. He stated that the highway would use concrete pavement instead of conventional asphalt and that construction would begin at four locations simultaneously to accelerate delivery.

Bago thanked the Federal Government for approving major road projects in Niger State, saying the highway would improve access to markets and facilitate the movement of people and goods. He also pledged to mobilise substantial electoral support for Tinubu in the 2027 elections, citing federal infrastructure investments in the state. The project’s eventual impact will depend on timely delivery, construction quality and the completion of the planned road works.