President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday declared an end to decades of hardship, insecurity and economic losses suffered by residents along the Kuje-Gwagwalada road corridor as he commissioned Phase I of the Kuje-Gwagwalada Dual Carriageway in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, the President described the road as a lifeline for thousands of residents, farmers, traders and students who had endured years of difficulty travelling on the route.
“For decades, this road was a death trap. Traders from Kuje, Gwagwalada, Kwali and beyond lost time, goods and sometimes lives while plying this road. Criminals thrived in the darkness. Students wasted hours in traffic. Farmers could not get their produce to market on time.
“But that story ends today,” Tinubu declared.
The President said the newly completed 7-kilometre dual carriageway, fitted with solar-powered streetlights, pedestrian walkways and drainage facilities, would boost security, commerce and economic activities in the area.
“This road is more than asphalt and concrete. It is security. It is commerce. It is dignity. It is the economic corridor linking Abuja to three area councils and an important gateway to Southern Nigeria.
“With this project, we have unlocked the agricultural potential of this area, opened new residential layouts and made movement safer for mothers, students and workers,” he said.
Tinubu assured residents of satellite towns that his administration would continue to extend development beyond Abuja city centre.
“My people of Kuje, Gwagwalada, Kwali and all satellite communities, hear me clearly: this government sees you and you are not forgotten.
“For too long, development in Abuja stopped at the city centre. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, every community matters and every area council counts. We will continue to bring roads, schools, hospitals and water projects closer to the people,” he said.
The President also charged residents to protect public infrastructure and support government efforts by paying taxes and avoiding vandalism.
Tinubu reserved special praise for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, for taking development to rural communities.
“I instructed him to make Abuja work for all Nigerians, not just those living in Maitama and Asokoro. Today, he has taken development to the grassroots and responded to the needs of satellite communities. That is leadership,” he said.
Earlier, Wike revealed that the road project was initiated following demands by traditional rulers and residents during consultations held shortly after he assumed office in 2023.
He recalled that the deplorable state of the road shocked him when he personally inspected it.
“As we drove through the road, it took us almost two hours to get to Kuje. I asked if we were travelling between states. It was terrible. In fact, saying it was bad is an understatement because there was virtually no road,” Wike said.
The minister explained that the project was approved by the Federal Executive Council in 2025 and awarded to Gilmor Engineering Nigeria Limited.
He expressed confidence that the second phase of the project would be completed by December 2026.
“What this means is that people in Kuje and Gwagwalada can now move freely, businesses will flourish and farmers can easily transport their produce to markets. That is what governance is all about,” he said.
Wike also used the occasion to take a swipe at the Super Eagles over Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the FIFA World Cup.
“We are not happy. I watched the World Cup and saw countries I had never heard of qualifying. Yet Nigeria, with all our talents playing across the world, failed to qualify. We are disappointed,” he said.
Also speaking, FCT Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, described the road as a clear demonstration of the Renewed Hope Agenda and commended Wike for driving unprecedented infrastructure development across the FCT.
Coordinator of the Satellite Towns Development Department (STDD), Abdulkadir Zulkiflu, said the project was awarded in February 2025 and includes a 7-kilometre dual carriageway, a three-span bridge, drainage systems and solar-powered streetlights.
He added that the project would improve access to farming communities, reduce travel time, create jobs and stimulate economic growth across Kuje, Gwagwalada and neighbouring communities.
Residents who attended the commissioning ceremony hailed the project as a major relief, expressing optimism that it would transform transportation, security and economic activities in the area.
