The Federal Government and the contractors handling the first section of the massive N777 billion Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Expressway have publicly reaffirmed their commitment to finishing the project by April 2026. This reiteration comes from both the government and Infouest Nigeria Limited, the company now in charge of the crucial infrastructure. The statement is a significant assurance to the public, aiming to dispel any doubts about the project's timeline after previous delays and changes.
The project's history is marked by a major shift in its execution. It was initially awarded to the construction giant Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, but that contract was terminated due to a dispute over both the final cost and the expected completion date. This termination and subsequent re-award highlight the complexities and high stakes involved in managing Nigeria's large-scale infrastructure projects, where budget overruns and scheduling conflicts are common challenges.
Under the fresh contract, Infouest is implementing a different technical approach for a substantial portion of the road. Instead of using traditional asphalt, the new plan involves constructing a 40.5-kilometre dual carriageway using reinforced concrete pavement, known as CRCP. This dual stretch totals 81 kilometres and represents a significant engineering choice, as concrete pavement is often considered more durable but can have different cost and construction time implications compared to asphalt.
During a recent media tour of the Abuja section, a representative for Infouest, Chukuma Kalu, detailed the project's scope and current progress. Kalu expressed the company's firm willingness and commitment to meeting the April deadline for project delivery. His on-the-ground briefing provided concrete updates, moving the narrative from mere promises to verifiable milestones, which is crucial for public accountability on such a high-value project.
Kalu provided a breakdown of the work, explaining that the project is not solely the concrete section. It also includes a 17.3-kilometre asphalt section that will link to the existing Kano-Zaria road. Furthermore, there is a 6.63-kilometre dual asphalt wearing course overlay located within Kano State itself. This mix of concrete and asphalt surfaces indicates a tailored approach to different segments of the highway based on specific engineering and traffic needs.
Regarding completed work, Kalu reported that the 6.63-kilometre dual asphalt road in Kano, which leads to Kano Airport, has already been finished and is now operational with street lighting installed. This completion is a tangible achievement that motorists can already experience, serving as proof of progress on the ground and a partial fulfillment of the project's promises to improve connectivity, particularly for airport access.
Progress on the other asphalt section is also advancing. Kalu stated that the 17.3-kilometre road leading to the Kano-Zaria road is approximately 80 per cent complete. For the core 81-kilometre CRCP section, he reported that 60 kilometres have been finished, leaving 21 kilometres remaining to be delivered before the end of April. These percentages and kilometre figures provide a clear, quantifiable snapshot of how much work is done and what is left to accomplish in the final weeks.
The push to complete this road is of national importance, as the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano corridor is a vital economic and social artery linking Nigeria's capital to key northern commercial hubs. Its timely completion is expected to boost trade, enhance safety, and reduce travel time significantly. The government's and Infouest's renewed pledge, backed by specific progress data, aims to build confidence that this long-awaited infrastructure will finally be delivered for public use in the coming month.
