Key Takeaways
- Zamfara State commits N125 billion to road projects across all three senatorial zones in 2026.
- Flagship projects include the 105km Gusau-Magami-Dansadau Road and multiple urban corridors.
- Rural roads receive substantial funding to connect farming communities to markets.
- Emergency road construction gets N5 billion to enhance resilience and access.
The Zamfara State Government has unveiled an ambitious N125 billion road infrastructure programme for 2026, spearheaded by Governor Dauda Lawal. This sweeping investment targets major highways, urban dual carriageways, bridges, and rural feeder roads across the state's three senatorial zones. The initiative seeks to tackle decades of neglect and unlock economic potential in one of Nigeria's most agriculturally rich yet underserved regions.
Major Corridors and Flagship Projects
At the heart of the programme is the 105-kilometre Gusau-Magami-Dansadau Road, which alone receives N20 billion. This corridor is expected to ease movement between the state capital and southern communities, reducing travel times and opening up trade routes. Another N15 billion is allocated to the Kantin Daji-Unguwar Gwaza and Roundabout-Airport corridors, while the Kantin Daji Road linking Bebeji, Aminu Aliyu Road, and Tudun Wada Roundabout secures N12 billion.
Longer inter-town routes also feature prominently. The 53-kilometre Gusau-Jauri-Dogon Kade-Nasarawa Mailayi-Nasarawar Godal roads in Birnin Magaji receive N10 billion, while the Daza-Gidan Dawa-Sokoto Road, including its dual carriageway section in Gusau and Bungudu, gets a similar allocation. Tsafe Local Government Area benefits from N10 billion for the 9.485-kilometre Yandoton Daji-Doka-Yanwaren Daji-Hayin Alhaji-Bedi-Yankuzo-Tsafe Road, and the Maradun-Magami-Faru Road draws N5 billion.
Investing in Urban and Rural Links
The plan also prioritises urban renewal within Gusau metropolis. Key projects include the N5 billion Abu Magaji Bridge-Zampoll Road with a spur to Darul Hadith, N1 billion for the Zamfara Plaza-Hilal Hospital-Presidential Lodge-Federal INEC dual carriageway, and N1 billion to complete the Emir's Palace Junction-Water Tank Roundabout-Nasiha Chemist Roundabout-Central Police Station corridor. Smaller links, such as the Premier Road-Sadiqu Sadiq Road connection and the 21-kilometre Tasha Babba-Lambar Kyambarawa Road, receive N500 million each.
Rural communities gain significant attention too. The 23-kilometre Mallamawa-Zarummai-Bukkuyum Road, with a spur to Zarummai-Masama, receives N4 billion, while the 14-kilometre Lalan-Lalan Road in Gusau and the Maru-Lugga Road with Sankalawa Bridge each secure N3 billion. The 10-kilometre Zurmi-Rukudawa Road gets N2 billion, and the Kwatarkwashi-Tofa-Samawa-Rawayya Bela Road covering 15 kilometres is allocated N300 million. Additional N100 million allocations cover Kaya Road, Lambar Asako-Asako Road, and Lambar Ka'ida-Ka'ida Road.
Boosting Agriculture and Emergency Access
The government has set aside N5 billion specifically for emergency roads across the three senatorial zones, ensuring critical routes remain passable during crises. With agriculture as Zamfara's economic backbone, these roads are vital for transporting produce from farms to markets, reducing post-harvest losses, and improving access to public institutions such as schools and hospitals.
Projects span Gusau, Bungudu, Tsafe, Maradun, Bukkuyum, Gummi, Zurmi, Maru, and Birnin Magaji local government areas. This mix of major highways and community-level roads reflects a deliberate strategy to knit together rural settlements and urban centres, fostering inclusive growth.
Why This Matters
Zamfara's N125 billion road investment is more than asphalt and bridges—it is a bid to rewrite the state's economic narrative by removing the infrastructure bottlenecks that have long stifled progress. For residents, these roads promise shorter journeys, safer travel, and a tangible link to broader opportunity.