FG Accelerates Zaria–Funtua–Sheme Road Dualization Under Renewed Hope Agenda – Umahi

*Date: April 28, 2026*

The 750km corridor, spanning Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states, is one of 2,064 inherited federal road projects being revived through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Funding model. 

According to the Hon. Minister of Works, Senator David N. Umahi, CON, the model is “changing the dynamics of Nigerian road construction” by addressing funding gaps and enforcing quality.

*Key interventions on the corridor include:*  

1. *Concrete Pavement Technology*: The entire Sokoto–Gusau–Funtua–Zaria stretch was redesigned from asphalt to concrete to extend lifespan beyond 15 years.  

2. *Enhanced Oversight*: Project controllers now submit daily progress reports to the Ministry, ensuring real-time monitoring.  

3. *Strict Timelines*: Following a recent inspection on President Tinubu’s directive, Mothercat Nigeria Ltd committed to delivering 21km by March and 98km within 12 months on the Sheme–Zaria axis.

*Current Status:*  

- Funtua–Gusau section (87km): 53% completed  

- Gusau–Colony section (93km): 14% completed  

- Four contractors — Mothercat, CBC, Triacta, and Setraco — are actively deployed across the corridor.

The Ministry noted that the dualization will boost North-West economic activities, improve security, and ease movement of goods and people. 

“The Renewed Hope Agenda is being translated into concrete results, kilometer by kilometer,” the Minister stated.

*Impact on the Locals*

The Zaria–Funtua–Sheme corridor is more than asphalt and concrete. For Alhaji Musa Ibrahim, a tomato farmer in Funtua, it’s the difference between profit and loss. “Before, half my goods spoiled on the bad road. Now, with work ongoing, we see hope,” he says.

Truck driver Sani Bello, who plies Gusau–Zaria weekly, notes the shift: “Engineers are always on site now. Before, we wouldn’t see them for months.” That’s Umahi’s accountability drive in action: site controllers file daily reports, and contractors face hard deadlines. 

For traders like Hajiya Aisha in Sheme market, the impact is personal. “If this road is done, my transport cost will drop. I can send yams to Sokoto in one day.” 

Renewed Hope, under Umahi’s watch, is no longer a slogan. It is being laid, kilometer by kilometer, in concrete.