By Joy Onu
The Federal Government says the ongoing construction of the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway will be equipped with Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) surveillance systems and street lighting to enhance the safety of road users and host communities. The project, described as one of Nigeria’s most ambitious infrastructure investments, is expected to improve national integration, strengthen security, and facilitate trade across key economic corridors. The disclosure was contained in a press release issued on January 22, 2026, by Mohammed A. Ahmed, Director of Press and Public Relations at the Federal Ministry of Works.
Providing an update on the project on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, the Federal Controller of Works in Sokoto State, Engr. Kasimu Maigwandu, said the highway begins at Illela, along the Nigeria–Niger Republic border, passes through Kebbi, Niger and Kwara states, and terminates at Badagry in Lagos State.
He explained that the road is designed to facilitate the efficient movement of people, goods and services within Nigeria and across neighbouring countries, including Niger and the Benin Republic, while offering safer and more reliable transportation.
According to Maigwandu, the corridor cuts across markets, cities, rural communities and agricultural hubs, and is expected to boost agricultural productivity, stimulate commerce and create employment opportunities.
He disclosed that construction is ongoing in areas such as Katami, Silame, Gande, Bunkari, Gada, Madi and Illela, with the adoption of Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) technology and integrated solar-powered street lighting to ensure durability and improved safety.
The Project Manager of Hitech Construction Company Limited, Mr. Joharn Fohan Foucice, confirmed that work is progressing steadily without major setbacks, assuring Nigerians of the company’s commitment to quality delivery and timely completion.
During a media tour of the project site, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-West), Hon. Abdullahi Tanko Yakasai, said the Federal Government has strengthened security around the project corridor to ensure uninterrupted work, noting that the presence of security personnel has been critical to sustaining construction activities.
He added that the superhighway would strengthen connectivity between the North-West and other regions, support economic growth and boost agriculture, noting that the road would link Illela in Sokoto directly to Badagry in Lagos while supporting all-year-round farming through dams along the corridor.
The project also received commendation from professional bodies and civil society groups, including the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Sokoto Branch, and civil society representatives, who praised adherence to quality standards and confirmed that the 20-centimetre concrete pavement thickness aligns with specifications for durability and value for money.
In a related development, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Sokoto State Council, commissioned emergency repair works on sections of the Sokoto–Tambuwal–Jega Road, while the Federal Government urged communities along the corridor to continue cooperating with contractors to ensure timely completion.
