The Kano–Maiduguri highway, a critical transportation link in northern Nigeria, remains in a deteriorated state nearly a year after severe flooding devastated key sections of the route. Despite promises of swift intervention, affected communities along the corridor continue to face hardship, with concerns mounting over the lack of substantial rehabilitation work.
The floods, which struck in 2024, not only displaced residents but also inflicted significant economic damage and severed access between the North East and other regions, including Kano, Abuja, Jigawa, and Yobe. The disruption has had far-reaching consequences, particularly for trade, travel, and security operations in the area.
On August 15, 2024, a federal delegation led by the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, and accompanied by the Bauchi State governor, visited the site to assess the damage. At the time, assurances were given that emergency repairs would begin promptly, acknowledging the road’s vital economic role. However, residents say only minimal, temporary fixes have occurred since, leaving the route vulnerable ahead of another rainy season.
Community leaders and road users are sounding the alarm, warning that without immediate and durable repairs—especially around the Jama’are and Azare–Potiskum stretches—the road could face further degradation, endangering lives and compounding economic isolation in the North East.
Beyond the physical infrastructure challenges, the delay in action has reignited conversations about regional equity in federal development initiatives. Critics argue that the government’s inaction sends troubling signals to a region that contributed significantly to the current administration’s electoral success.
Minister Umahi, during his visit, acknowledged past imbalances in road project distribution but emphasized that the present administration is working to correct them. He cited the Akwanga–Jos–Bauchi legacy project as a sign of progress, with assurances of increased funding through special interventions.
Nonetheless, residents and stakeholders insist that words must now translate into results. Many believe the rehabilitation of the Kano–Maiduguri road is not just an infrastructure issue, but a litmus test for the government’s commitment to inclusive national development.
As rainfall season nears, the urgency to act grows. Citizens are calling on the federal government to prioritize this vital project—not just to restore a road, but to reaffirm the principle that every region deserves equal attention and meaningful investment.
