Sokoto–Badagry Highway: Goronyo Says 10 Hilux Vehicles Will Boost Security Operations
The Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, has said the donation of 10 Toyota Hilux vehicles by the Sokoto State Government will strengthen security operations and support the safe construction of the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway.
Goronyo made this known on Thursday, October 8, 2026, during the formal commissioning and handover of the vehicles to the Nigerian Army at the Headquarters of the 8 Division in Sokoto.
The minister, who represented the Minister of Works, Engr. David Nweze Umahi, commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto for the donation, describing it as a demonstration of the state government’s support for national infrastructure development.
He said the vehicles would improve the mobility of security personnel responsible for protecting construction workers, contractors, equipment and host communities along the highway.
According to a statement from the Office of the Honourable Minister of State for Works, Goronyo described the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway as a major national development project that would improve connectivity between northern and southern Nigeria.
He recalled that the infrastructure vision dated back to the 1970s, during the administration of former President Shehu Shagari, but remained unrealised for decades until the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu commenced construction in October 2024.
Goronyo said the highway would pass through Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states, opening up economic opportunities and improving the movement of goods and people across the country.
He added that the road would reduce transportation costs, promote trade, create jobs and improve access to markets, schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services.
The minister noted that the project would also support agricultural production, commercial activities, industrial growth and the development of communities along the route.
He emphasised that security remained a critical requirement for the successful execution of the project, adding that effective collaboration among the Federal Government, state governments, the military, other security agencies, contractors and host communities was necessary to achieve timely delivery.
Goronyo also identified other major road projects being undertaken by the Federal Government, including the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, Calabar–Abuja/Trans-Saharan corridor, Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi–Gombe corridor, Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano route and Zaria–Gusau–Sokoto corridor.
He said the projects were designed to strengthen the country’s road network, improve inter-state transportation and stimulate economic growth.
On the construction standard, the minister explained that the use of continuously reinforced concrete pavement on the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway was intended to deliver durable infrastructure with a long service life.
He added that environmental and safety provisions, including tree planting and solar-powered street lighting where included in the project design, would contribute to sustainability, visibility and safer road use.
Goronyo praised the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their efforts to protect lives, property and national infrastructure. He urged personnel deployed along the corridor to remain professional and committed to their duties.
He also expressed condolences to the military over the reported death of personnel in a bandit attack while on official duty the previous day, offering prayers for the departed and strength for their bereaved families.
The minister acknowledged the contributions of the National Security Adviser towards coordinating measures to address security challenges affecting the project.
He assured Nigerians that the Federal Ministry of Works would continue working with relevant stakeholders to advance the Federal Government’s infrastructure development programme.
Speaking at the event, the General Officer Commanding, 8 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Bengba Paul Koughna, thanked the Federal Government, the Ministry of Works and the Sokoto State Government for the donation.
Koughna said the vehicles would enhance troop mobility and improve response capabilities along the approximately 440-kilometre stretch of the superhighway running through Sokoto and Kebbi states.
He explained that troops regularly patrol the corridor and operate from several deployment locations, noting that the vehicles would strengthen their capacity to carry out security assignments.
The GOC assured Goronyo that the vehicles would be deployed to support operations aimed at protecting construction activities, personnel, equipment and other stakeholders.
He also acknowledged the contribution of Hitech Construction Company, represented at the event by retired General Sa’ad Abubakar.
Other attendees included retired AIG Aliyu Garba, officials of the Federal Ministry of Works, representatives of the Sokoto State Government and other stakeholders.
The donation reinforces the importance of intergovernmental cooperation and collaboration with security agencies in protecting strategic infrastructure and ensuring the successful completion of the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway.
The Federal Ministry of Works reaffirmed its commitment to delivering critical road infrastructure in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the government’s broader economic development objectives.
