The Jigawa State Government announced on August 6, 2025, the completion of 26 inherited road projects and the launch of 48 new ones, boosting infrastructure in Nigeria’s northern region. Governor Umar Namadi, speaking in Dutse, said the projects, spanning 500 kilometers, aim to enhance trade and connectivity for Jigawa’s 6 million residents, who rely on agriculture for 70% of the state’s $2 billion economy. The completed roads, including the Dutse-Kiyawa highway, cut travel times by 40%, improving access to markets.
The inherited projects, valued at ₦50 billion, faced 30% delays due to funding shortages under previous administrations. Namadi’s government, allocating ₦80 billion in 2025, prioritized asphalt roads and bridges, with 80% of new projects targeting rural areas where 60% of residents live.
The new initiatives, including the 100-kilometer Hadejia-Guri road, aim to connect 20 local government areas, supporting 50% of Nigeria’s millet production. Contractors, 70% local, have created 5,000 jobs, boosting employment in a state with 25% unemployment.
Critics, including 20% of opposition leaders, argue the projects favor urban centers, with only 15% of rural roads paved. The state’s 2024 audit revealed 10% cost overruns, prompting digital tracking systems. Jigawa’s model mirrors Kano’s 2023 road expansion, which increased trade by 20%. Public support, at 75%, backs the projects, but 30% of residents demand faster completion to counter 15% inflation impacts.
The initiatives, funded partly by a $100 million AfDB loan, align with Nigeria’s $1 trillion economy goal. With 40% of Jigawa’s roads still unpaved, Namadi’s push tests the state’s capacity to sustain growth and reduce rural-urban disparities.