Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal Government has officially declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is strategically deploying road infrastructure projects as a weapon to combat insecurity across Nigeria, with the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, revealing that the rehabilitation of critical highways in Borno State is designed to enhance military operations, reconnect communities, and boost economic activities in the North-East. Umahi made the declaration on Saturday, 4 July 2026, during the official flag-off ceremony for the reconstruction of the Bama-Banki and Dikwa-Gamboru-Ngala roads at Muna City Gate along the Maiduguri-Dikwa-Gamboru road. The two projects, with a combined value of approximately N137 billion, represent a significant investment in a region that has been ravaged by over a decade of insurgency.
Speaking at the event, Umahi stressed that the road projects are not merely about transportation but are integral to the government's broader national security strategy. "These road infrastructure projects are part of the larger programme of President Tinubu in fighting insecurity," the minister stated. He explained that the strategic highways would provide the military with improved access to border communities and strengthen logistics for security agencies operating in the region. "When these projects are completed, our people in the North-east will benefit because they lead to Chad and Cameroon. But the greater interest is that our military forces will have roads to combat whatever might be left of the insurgency," Umahi added.
The minister disclosed that both projects were initially awarded in 2021 but could not commence due to the prevailing insecurity along the corridors. He noted that the Federal Government had reviewed the contracts to accelerate implementation and ensure effective delivery. The Dikwa-Ngala road project has been restructured into phases, with the first phase covering about 32.25 kilometres at a revised contract value of approximately N67 billion, while similar adjustments were made to the Bama-Banki road project to fast-track construction. Umahi expressed confidence in the contractor's preparedness, stating that equipment had already been mobilised to site and work would commence simultaneously from different locations.
The minister praised President Tinubu for reviving and funding strategic infrastructure projects across the country, describing him as "a leader with the courage to undertake projects previously considered impossible". He also commended Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum for providing logistical support, including quarry sites, crushing equipment, laterite, and construction support. Umahi called on other state governors to emulate Zulum's level of commitment to federal projects.
Representing President Tinubu at the ceremony, Vice President Kashim Shettima described the projects as infrastructure of strategic national importance, emphasising that poor roads constitute a significant security challenge. Shettima noted that roads that are difficult for citizens to use equally hamper the ability of security personnel to patrol and secure affected areas. He stressed that quality infrastructure is closely linked to peace, security, and national prosperity, adding that the Tinubu administration is pursuing an integrated transportation system that combines investments in roads, railways, aviation, and waterways to unlock economic opportunities across the country.
The Vice President commended Umahi and the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, for driving the implementation of the projects. He noted that the strategic road corridors would improve access to neighbouring Cameroon and the Republic of Chad, creating new opportunities for trans-Saharan trade and expanding cross-border commerce. Shettima called on all stakeholders to work closely with the people of the North-East to ensure the successful execution of the projects, while assuring Nigerians that the administration would continue to invest in infrastructure that stimulates economic growth and national development.
In his remarks, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum described the commencement of the projects as another milestone in the state's recovery from years of insurgency. He said the roads would reconnect communities, facilitate economic activities, and accelerate post-insurgency recovery. Zulum thanked President Tinubu for his commitment to the development of Borno and the North-East, and commended Vice President Shettima for his continued support for the state. The governor also praised Senator Umahi for driving what he described as the Federal Government's infrastructure agenda.
Umahi's assertion that Tinubu is using road projects to fight insecurity aligns with his previous statements on the subject. In May 2026, he had argued that infrastructure is the foundation for security, commerce, and economic growth, justifying the government's borrowing for road construction. He had also stated that road projects had been delayed in some areas due to insecurity, but the intervention of security agencies had kept work moving. In February 2026, he had credited President Tinubu's directive for providing adequate protection for contractors, ensuring that banditry had not disrupted work on federal roads.
The flag-off of the Borno road projects comes amid ongoing military operations against insurgents in the North-East. The roads are expected to significantly improve military mobility and consolidate security gains against Boko Haram and other extremist groups. By improving access to border communities and strengthening logistics for security agencies, the projects are designed to support the government's security objectives and help bring an end to the insurgency that has devastated the region. For the people of Borno and the wider North-East, the commencement of these long-awaited projects represents a promise of recovery and a step towards lasting peace.
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