Reported by Ariajegbe Sylvia Esezobor
The Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, has commenced the construction of two road projects in the state, in a continuation of his administration's infrastructure agenda aimed at improving connectivity, easing the movement of agricultural produce and stimulating economic activity across rural and urban communities. The projects, which were launched on Sunday, October 11, 2026, form part of the government's broader road development programme, though the specific routes, contract values and completion timelines were not disclosed in the reports reviewed at the time of writing.
Speaking at the commencement ceremony, the governor said his administration remained committed to delivering infrastructure that would have a direct impact on the lives of residents, particularly farmers and traders who depend on motorable roads to move goods to markets. He said road construction was central to his government's development strategy because it connected communities to economic opportunities, improved access to healthcare and education, and strengthened security by making it easier for security agencies to reach remote areas. "We will finish what we start. Our people deserve roads that work, and we will not abandon projects halfway," the governor said, according to accounts of the event. He urged the contractors handling the projects to adhere to specifications and deliver quality work within the agreed timeframe, warning that his administration would not accept substandard jobs or unnecessary delays.
The governor also appealed to communities along the project corridors to cooperate with the contractors and construction workers, saying their support would be critical to the timely completion of the projects. He said the government would continue to prioritise projects that addressed the most pressing needs of residents and called on traditional rulers and community leaders to help ensure that the construction was not disrupted by disputes or illegal activities. The commencement of the two road projects adds to the infrastructure programme that the Idris administration has pursued since assuming office in 2023. The government has previously undertaken road projects across the state's 21 local government areas, including the reconstruction and rehabilitation of key highways, township roads and rural access roads designed to link farming communities to markets.
Kebbi State, located in Nigeria's North-West, is predominantly agrarian, and its economy depends heavily on the movement of agricultural produce, including rice, wheat, onions, millet and livestock. Poor road infrastructure has historically constrained the state's agricultural potential, making it difficult for farmers to transport their produce to urban markets and contributing to post-harvest losses. The Idris administration has consistently linked its road construction programme to its broader agricultural development agenda, arguing that improved connectivity would boost food production, increase farmers' incomes and reduce the cost of food for consumers. The government has also invested in other sectors, including education and healthcare, and has maintained that it does not owe salaries, pensions or gratuities to workers in the state.
The political context of the road projects is significant. The 2027 general elections are less than four months away, with the presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, and the governorship and state assembly elections for February 6. Governor Idris, who was elected on the All Progressives Congress platform in 2023, is expected to seek a second term, and his administration's record on infrastructure, education, healthcare and workers' welfare will be central to his campaign. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is also seeking a second term on the APC platform, while former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress, former Anambra Governor Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of the Allied Peoples Movement are among the major challengers. Kebbi State, with its substantial voting population and strategic location in the North-West, will be one of the key battlegrounds in the presidential contest, and the government's delivery of infrastructure is part of the broader political message it will present to voters.
For the people of Kebbi State, the commencement of the two road projects represents both the promise of improved mobility and a test of the government's ability to deliver on its commitments. For the contractors and construction workers involved, it is an opportunity to contribute to the state's development and to demonstrate their capacity to execute public projects. For the Idris administration, it is another opportunity to demonstrate that its infrastructure agenda is translating into tangible projects that address the needs of its citizens. The coming months will determine whether the projects are completed as promised and whether they deliver the economic benefits that the government has projected. As the governor put it, his administration will finish what it starts, and the people of Kebbi deserve roads that work.
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