Residents and stakeholders in Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara states have highlighted the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway and various social intervention programmes as major federal initiatives they expect to stimulate economic activities and improve livelihoods in the North-West.
They spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) as Nigeria marked its 66th Independence Anniversary.
The Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, which passes through seven states, is one of the major infrastructure projects being undertaken by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
In Kebbi State, the National Chairman of Grassroots Advocacy for Peace and Good Governance (GAPAG), Muhammad Anache, said the administrations of Tinubu and Kebbi State Governor Nasir Idris had implemented projects with direct impact on communities.
Anache described the superhighway as one of the most significant projects in the region, saying its completion could improve transportation, trade and economic activities across communities along the corridor.
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He also listed skills acquisition and empowerment programmes for women and youths, the student loan scheme, electricity infrastructure upgrades and other projects among initiatives he considered beneficial to residents.
Other projects and programmes cited by Anache included funding for the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority, interventions for Almajiri and out-of-school children, and the construction of 250 housing units under the Renewed Hope Housing Estate in Kebbi.
He also mentioned the Forest Guards initiative, the Malando–Garin Baka–Ngaski–Warra road project, the upgrading of the Federal Medical Centre to a university teaching hospital and the establishment of the Federal College of Education (Technical), Yauri.
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Anache further commended federal support for the Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival.
Sokoto Lawmaker Highlights Development Programmes
In Sokoto State, the Majority Leader of the State House of Assembly, Alhaji Bello Idris (APC-Gwadabawa North), said Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary provided an opportunity to reflect on the country’s development since 1960.
Idris said Nigeria had recorded progress in several sectors, including the economy, education, healthcare and social development.
He also cited economic empowerment programmes, reforms and infrastructure projects undertaken by the Tinubu administration as examples of ongoing development initiatives.
Zamfara Beneficiaries Speak on Renewed Hope Initiative
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In Zamfara State, some beneficiaries of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) said its intervention programmes had provided financial and economic support to vulnerable residents.
One of the beneficiaries, Malama Saude Aliyu, who participated in the Elderly Support Programme, said the assistance had made a meaningful difference in her life.
The APC Women Leader in Maru Local Government Area, Malama Binta Shuaibu, also commended the programmes, saying they had targeted women, youths, elderly people and other vulnerable groups.
Shuaibu said the interventions were aimed at supporting livelihoods, food security and economic self-reliance.
According to her, the programmes in Zamfara have been coordinated by the wife of the state governor, Hajiya Huriyya Dauda Lawal, since 2023.
She said the interventions began with the RHI Elderly Support Programme in 2023, under which 250 beneficiaries received N100,000 each.
Shuaibu said five programmes were implemented in 2024, including the Women in Agriculture Support Programme, Scholarship Award for Women in Technology, Economic Empowerment Programme, Educational Support Programme and the second phase of the Elderly Support Programme, under which beneficiaries received N200,000 each.
She added that the interventions were expanded in 2025 and 2026 to include agricultural training and the “Every Home A Garden” programme, under which 25 women received N200,000 each, while 35 others were selected as champions.
“We monitored the distribution of Young Farmers Club kits to 160 students, as well as the empowerment of 201 women and 110 youths under the Women and Youth Agriculture Support Programme,” she said.
Shuaibu also cited the RHI Social Investment Programme for Persons with Disabilities, saying beneficiaries received N200,000 each.
The Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway is expected to strengthen connectivity between northern and southwestern Nigeria, while opening agricultural and commercial communities along the corridor to wider markets.
