Information Minister Insists Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway Will boost Agriculture, Economic Opportunities

Information Minister Insists Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway Will boost Agriculture, Economic Opportunities

By Sarah Kitka

The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has said the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway will boost agriculture and unlock new economic opportunities for communities and states along the 1,000-kilometre corridor, including Kebbi State.

Idris stated this on Wednesday in Abuja when he received the Kebbi State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Yakubu Ahmed Birnin-Kebbi, and members of the state Governor’s media team on a courtesy visit.

The Minister said approximately 250 kilometres of the highway would pass through Kebbi State, describing the project as a major opportunity for the state to expand agricultural production, improve trade and strengthen economic activities.

“The Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway is not just designed to link communities, states and cities together. It is also designed to provide an avenue for the advancement of economic activities in the corridor. About 250 kilometres of that super highway will pass through Kebbi State,” he said.

He noted that the project would create opportunities beyond road transportation, adding that about 63 dams are expected along the corridor, with potential benefits for agriculture, power generation and other economic activities.

Idris also commended the Kebbi State Government for its cooperation with the Federal Government, particularly in agriculture, infrastructure and security, stressing that effective collaboration between the two levels of government remains essential to national development.

“I have witnessed first-hand what collaboration between the Federal Government and the states can achieve in agriculture. In Kebbi, we saw large-scale tomato farming and women actively participating in agriculture and earning livelihoods,” Idris said.

The Minister recalled that the Federal Government’s investments in major infrastructure projects, including the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway, are part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to bring development closer to the people and create an enabling environment for businesses and communities to thrive.

“The population of Nigeria exists mainly in the states, not in Abuja. That is why the Federal Government continues to work with state governments to take development to where the people are,” he said.

Earlier, the Kebbi State Commissioner for Information said the delegation was in Abuja to brief the Minister on the achievements of the state government and strengthen its relationship with the Federal Government.

“We are here to tell the story of Kebbi State and to show the progress being made. With the support of the Federal Government, Kebbi has enormous potential for agriculture, infrastructure and economic development,” he said.

He said the state had recorded progress in agriculture, education, healthcare, infrastructure and security, adding that Kebbi remained committed to working with the Federal Government to unlock its development potential.

The Minister assured the delegation that the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation would continue to communicate development initiatives across the country and support efforts to ensure that Nigerians are adequately informed about opportunities created by government investments.

In attendance were the Director, Public Relations and Protocol, Dr. Suleiman Haruna, among other senior management staff.