⬆️Prof. Kehinde Yusuf.
The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway being constructed by the Federal Government of Nigeria is a 1,068 kilometre dual carriage way which extends from Illela in Sokoto State in Northwest Nigeria to Badagry in Lagos State in the Southwest. As a 10 October, 2026 press release of the Federal Ministry of Works reported, “the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway represents a long-standing national infrastructure vision that dates back several decades, with its conception traced to the era of former President Shehu Shagari in the 1970s. However, the vision remained unrealised for decades until the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, initiated the construction of the … highway in October 2024.”
The press release further stated: “[The Minister of State for Works, Rt. Hon. Bello Muhammad Goronyo, Esq.] noted that the superhighway, which traverses Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos states, is designed to facilitate the movement of people and goods, reduce transportation costs, stimulate trade, create employment and open up new economic opportunities along its route. The Minister added that the highway would improve access to markets, schools, healthcare facilities and other essential services while supporting agriculture, commerce, industry and the development of communities across the corridor.”
Earlier, in an 8 February, 2025 interview in the Daily Trust, the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, had noted that the Sokoto-Badagry road is being constructed using rigid concrete pavement and that it would have facilities like CCTV and solar light. He also noted that the road would have a rail line by the side and that there are over 56 dams along the corridor. The Minister then assured that when completed, the project would open up the country.
Work on the game-changing Sokoto-Badagry road began simultaneously from the Lagos State and Sokoto State ends, and the work has at the moment reached the Oke-Ogun zone of Oyo State from the Lagos-Ogun States axis. Earthworks and corridor formation for the superhighway, among other activities, have crossed the old road between Ago-Are and Sabe in Atisbo Local Government Area, and the quarry of the contractor handling the project, Hitech Construction Company Limited, is located at Sabe. This development has generated excitement by the people of Oke-Ogun as shown by an array of the opinions of key Oke-Ogun stakeholders such as socio-cultural, traditional and political leaders.
Ahmed Raji, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who is one of Nigeria’s most prominent legal luminaries and the President of the Oke-Ogun Development Consultative Forum (ODCF), remarked regarding the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway: “The road is a major infrastructural development that will open a lot of opportunities across board and most importantly in Oke-Ogun. It will assist in seamless transportation of farm produce from Oke-Ogun to Lagos and other major urban centres along the road corridor. The superhighway is long awaited, and we thank God and the Federal Government.”
Moreover, Oba Gbadegesin Jimoh Aderemi Olugbade II, the Onisabe of Sabe, also had this to say: “I sincerely appreciate the Federal Government’s initiative to construct the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway. I believe it has the potential to transform the economy of Oke-Ogun and improve the lives of our people. When I first received news of the government’s approval of the project, I informed my subjects, although some were doubtful that it would become a reality. When representatives of Hitech visited my palace and briefed me about the project, I welcomed them, prayed for its success and assured them of our community’s cooperation. … I sincerely appreciate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and everyone contributing to this project. We pray for its successful completion and look forward to the benefits it will bring to our people.”
Oba Abodunrin Oyetunji Kofoworola, Ilufemiloye Olakanla II, Ph.D, FCAI, the Aare of Ago-Are and Chairman of Atisbo Traditional Council, also remarked: “I want to thank the Federal Government of Nigeria under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for this visionary project. The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway is not just a road, it is a legacy project. To us in Oke-Ogun, this is a game-changer. For decades, we have been described as the food basket of Oyo State and indeed Nigeria, but our biggest challenge has been road infrastructure to evacuate farm produce.” The Aare of Ago-Are then outlined his expectations that the road would generate economic boom, stimulate industrialisation, facilitate youth employment, enhance security and unity, and end Oke-Ogun’s years of geographical isolation. He therefore appealed for the quality execution and timely completion of the project.
As a paramount Ruler and a Prescribed Authority and the Chairman of Saki West Local Government Traditional Council and one of the Deputy Chairmen of Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs, His Royal Majesty Oba Surv. Dr. Khalid Oyeniyi Olabisi Oyedepo III, the Òkèrè of Sakiland, who is also a Registered Surveyor and a retiree from the Federal Civil Service, also noted with pleasure the successful commencement of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and the availability of a high quantity of quality and brand new construction machines and other equipment at the Oke-Ogun construction sites. He then remarked: “It is my fervent belief that the Sokoto Badagry superhighway project would be executed strictly in line with the prescribed specifications.”
The Òkèrè of Sakiland also noted that, among other benefits, the superhighway “will contribute immensely to the National Gross Domestic Product of our vast country … [and] a lot of markets would spring up thereby engaging the services of more Nigerians particularly our youths … [and] it will reduce incessant road accidents involving heavy duty trucks over the years caused by dilapidated road networks between southern and northern Nigeria.” The Saki monarch was further of the view that the superhighway would promote international trade as importers and exporters would benefit from the proposed Òkèrétè International Border Market in Saki-West Local Government.
The Òjé Owódé-born Oyo State House of Assembly candidate for the Saki-East/Atisbo constituency on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 elections who is a former Chairman of Saki-East Local Government from 1999 to 2002, a Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters to Governor Rashid Ladoja in 2007 and a Special Adviser on Political Matters to Oyo State Deputy Governor Otunba Moses Alake Adeyemo in the administration of late Governor Isiaka Ajimobi, Alhaji Tajudeen Adetunji Alliu, also said with excitement: “We, well-meaning people of Oke-Ogun are grateful to our father and the President of Nigeria, Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR, for deeming it fit to include the Oke-Ogun Zone in the country’s national and international development agenda.”
Alhaji Alliu further stated: “The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway cuts across eight of the ten local government areas of Oke-Ogun which are Iseyin, Iwajowa, Kajola, Itesiwaju, Atisbo, Saki-East, Oorelope and Irepo local governments. … As we all know, wherever there is this kind of road network, there will be enormous socio-economic development and the area will be widely-opened and well-known globally for various developmental activities, while its residents would have the opportunity to establish invaluable business and related relationships.”
The incumbent Senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District in the National Assembly, Abdulfatai Omotayo Buhari, Ph.D, who has vast corporate management and political leadership experience also remarked: “I am a businessman. I hail from Ogbomoso and I represented the people of Ogbomoso at the Lower Chamber [the House of Representatives] before representing the good people of Oyo North at the Upper Chamber [the Senate]. Road is a critical infrastructure for development. … Meanwhile, my people are hardworking but they need good roads that will connect them and their output to other parts of the world. The Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway has unlimited benefits for the people of Oke-Ogun.”
Senator Buhari noted that the road would improve the economy of towns and communities along the Oke-Ogun axis because of the business transactions that would be developing among most commuters, drivers and other stakeholders plying the road before reaching their destinations. While noting that the superhighway is a long-conceived and well-thought-out road, Senator Buhari thanked God that “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has mustered the courage to make it a reality.” The senator noted that along with other road projects being executed in the Oke-Ogun area and those which have already been approved for the zone, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was paying unprecedented attention to the infrastructural development of Oke-Ogun. Senator Buhari therefore declared: “We simply have to thank Mr. President and I am so grateful to him on behalf of my people.”
In his 8 February, 2025 interview in the Daily Trust, the Minister of Works noted that embarking on the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and similar big road projects did not mean that smaller roads would be neglected or abandoned. In what seems to be a confirmation of this assurance, the Oke-Ogun socio-cultural, traditional and political leadership interviewed for this article draw attention to the array of other road projects being executed in the area. These include the SUKUK-related Federal Government-approved construction of concrete road project from Iseyin in Oyo State through Saki to Ilesa Ibariba in Kwara State. According to reports, the contractor has moved to the site and the construction is on-going.
Other road projects approved by the federal government of Nigeria for the Oke-Ogun Zone and for which President Tinubu has been receiving commendation from Oke-Ogun stakeholders include Igbeti to Kisi, Igboho to Kisi and Igbeti to Igboho roads. Reacting to these highly invaluable road developments, Alhaji Tajudeen Alliu said: “We have never had it so good!”
From a more global perspective, the National Publicity Secretary of the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, Comrade Jare Ajayi, who hails from Igbeti in the Olorunsogo Local Government Area of Oke-Ogun, stated that the Tinubu administration’s efforts in terms of infrastructural projects in the South Western part of the country are commendable.
Comrade Ajayi who is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Oke-Ogun Council of Elders (OCE) and former General Secretary of Oke-Ogun Development Council (ODC) (later renamed Oke-Ogun Development Consultative Forum – ODCF), noted that the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway and related federal infrastructural projects like the Ibadan-Ijebu-Ode, Ibadan-Abeokuta, Ibadan-Ile-Ife-Ilesa-Akure and Owo-Akure roads are an invaluable complement to and provide a commendable template for the vision and mission of the South West Development Commission.