By Rafiyat Sadiq
The presidency has denied allegations made by Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is favouring Southern Nigeria in its infrastructure projects while neglecting the North.
Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State and presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections, made the claim on Thursday at a stakeholders’ dialogue on the 2025 constitutional amendment in Kano.
Kwankwaso Laments Neglect of Northern Roads
Speaking at the event, Kwankwaso described the state of federal roads in the North as deplorable. He said a recent journey from Abuja to Kano through Kaduna revealed the poor state of the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway.
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“Yesterday, I was to come by air. Unfortunately, the airline rescheduled from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., so I had to travel by road. From Abuja to Kaduna to Kano was hell. It’s a terrible road,” he said. “This project has lingered since the start of APC rule. Meanwhile, we now hear of new roads being constructed in the South-East and South-South.”
Presidency Counters Allegation
In a statement issued on Friday through his verified account on X, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Mr Sunday Dare, said the claims were unfounded. He maintained that the Tinubu administration is executing major development projects across Northern Nigeria.
“The claim that Northern Nigeria has been left behind is incorrect,” Dare said. “The Tinubu administration has initiated and is continuing several key projects in the North covering transportation, agriculture, energy, and healthcare.”
Ongoing Infrastructure Projects And Investments In the North
Dare said the government is actively working on road projects such as the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano Motorway, the Sokoto–Badagry Highway, and the Sokoto–Zamfara–Katsina Road. He also mentioned the reconstruction of the Zaria–Funtua–Gusau–Sokoto Dual Carriageway, the Dikwa–Gamboru–Ngala Road, and the Kaduna–Jos Single Carriageway. In the rail sector, he highlighted the Kaduna–Kano and Kano–Maradi rail lines, along with the rehabilitation of the Abuja light rail system.
In the agricultural sector, Dare pointed to the $158 million Agriculture Value Chain Programme covering nine northern states. He also cited the Kolmani Integrated Development Project in Bauchi and Gombe, as well as the World Bank-funded ACReSAL initiative, which aims to restore over one million hectares of degraded land.
On healthcare, the government has carried out upgrades at the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital in Zaria, the Federal Teaching Hospital in Katsina, and the University of Jos Teaching Hospital. In addition, more than 1,000 primary healthcare centres have been rehabilitated across the North.
Dare noted that energy infrastructure is also receiving attention. He highlighted the ABIBA 50-megawatt solar power plant in Kaduna as part of efforts to improve electricity access and clean energy in the region.
Call for Constructive Engagement
Concluding the statement, Dare urged public figures and stakeholders to base their commentary on verifiable data rather than sentiment.
“In under two years, President Tinubu’s administration has laid the groundwork for long-term growth in Northern Nigeria. Assertions of exclusion are misleading and do not reflect ongoing realities,” he said.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
