Tinubu Commissions 16km Old Keffi Road In Abuja
• FCT Minister Directs Immediate Construction of Kagini-Zauda-Kaba Road Following Fresh Community Appeal
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared that the visible wave of infrastructure delivery across the country is turning early skeptics into firm believers, stating that his administration’s knack for fulfilling promises has left “doubt with no ground to stand on”.
The President made this statement today, July 2, 2026, during the official commissioning of the newly rehabilitated 16-kilometre Old Keffi Road—stretching from Kado Village through Life Camp to Dei-Dei Junction by the Outer Northern Expressway (ONEX) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
President Tinubu, who was represented at the ceremony by the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, emphasized that the completed corridor is proof of a transparent pattern of governance under the Renewed Hope Agenda: “We identify the pain, we fund the solution, and we deliver”.
Addressing the crowd, the President recalled that when his administration first vowed to end the era of abandoned projects in Abuja, many observers were skeptical.
“When we assumed office under the Renewed Hope Agenda, we told Nigerians the era of abandoned projects in the country was over. Some doubted. Today, doubt has no ground to stand on. From Saburi 1 and 2 in, to this corridor in Abuja, and to many others we started unveiling across the country to mark the third anniversary of this administration, the pattern is clear.”
The President explained that the strategic economic Kado-Dei-Dei road had degenerated into a grueling daily ordeal for commuters, traders, and families across Kado, Saburi, Gwagwa, Karmo, Idu, and Dei-Dei. Following an on-site assessment by FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike last year, the Federal Executive Council immediately stepped in to approve and fund the intervention.
He praised the contractor, Lubrik Construction Company for matching the standard they set during the of the Saburu 1 and 2 road last year. “Under this government, we do not reward patronage. We reward competence. If you deliver, you get more work. If you fail, you are out. Lubrik Construction Company has delivered again,” the President added.
In a glowing commendation of the FCT Minister’s relentless execution strategy, President Tinubu reaffirmed his total reliance on Wike’s leadership to drive the modern evolution of the nation’s capital.
He said, “Let me speak directly to the Honourable Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, CON. Minister, you have turned the FCT into a site of visible results. You inspect, you decide, you follow through. You have matched development in the city centre with development in the districts and area councils so that no community is left behind.”
“’Mr. Projects’ is not a slogan. It is the record of roads opened, lights installed, and deadlines met. I trust you. I rely on you. And Abuja is better because you are at the wheel. Thank you for your discipline, your courage, and your speed.”
President Tinubu charged the traditional rulers and local residents to safeguard the infrastructure against vandalism, noting that community ownership is vital to ensuring the road lasts for generations.
Speaking in his personal capacity, Senate President Akpabio lauded the fact that the FCT is witnessing 31 consecutive days of project commissioning, noting that economic vitality has officially returned to Abuja’s most populated commercial sectors of the capital city.
Senator Akpabio called on Nigerians to establish a new performance baseline for public officers: “In Nigeria, we must bring up a standard for election. Show me your work and I will vote for you. People have been there with nothing to show for it. But in the case of Tinubu, he has been thinking, planning, and producing results.”
Earlier, the FCT Minister Barrister Nyesom Wike expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for his steadfast backing of the FCT Administration’s infrastructural drive. He recalled a campaign promise made to local traders who pledged their total support for the administration if the dilapidated Old Keffi road was fixed.
“Today, the second day of July, 2026, we are here to commission this road. We are very happy that all the promises Mr. President made to the people around this area have been fulfilled,” the FCT Minister said.
During the ceremony, the Minister noticed a group of residents holding up banners and pleading for the rehabilitation of the rural Kagini-Zauda-Kabba road and issued an immediate directive to the contractor, Lubriks Construction Company, to deploy equipment to the area.
“I saw people carrying banners showing how bad their road is. Mr. President has repeatedly said that once he is aware of your problems, consider it done. I have told Lubriks Construction Company to move to this area and do this road for you”, the Minister stated, in demonstration of his trademark responsive leadership.
The 6km stretch of road will connect three major settlements of Kagini, Kaba and Zauda, starting from the Outer Northern Expressway (Kubwa/Zuba expressway) in Kagini and terminating on the Old Keffi Road in Zauda.
The Head of Service for the FCTA, Mrs. Nancy Sabanti Nathan, while delivering the vote of thanks, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the FCT Minister for their hands-on stewardship. She noted that the project underscores the government’s resolve to deliver improved connectivity and higher living standards for FCT residents.
Presenting the project overview, Acting Executive Secretary, FCDA, Engr Richard Yunana Dauda, stated that the newly rehabilitated Old Keffi Road was awarded to Messrs Lubrik Construction Limited in February 2025. He revealed that the road is historically significant because it predates the creation of the Federal Capital Territory in 1977, and was equally a key regional road for transporting goods and peoples from far away, Minna, Kaduna, coming through Suleja, Zuba, and traversing communities like Deidei, Gwagwa, Jiwa, Karmo, passing through the city center, through old Wuse, Maitama, Asokoro, Karu within the FCT, and continuing to Keffi, and onto Akwanga, eventually leading to Jos or Makurdi.
He further clarified that the completed project is contemporarily very significant because it interconnected many districts in the City, and provided access to regional markets in the building and agricultural sectors hence a complete rehabilitation became necessary. He said the 16km road commences from Arterial Road, N5, just by Kado Fish Market, in Gwarimpa District, traversing through communities like Karmo, Tasha, Gwagwa, Jiwa to Dei-Dei, and terminating at the Outer Northern Expressway. “It includes a two-lane pavement, solar street lights, and is expected to be an open corridor for boosting commercial activities, enhancing security and reducing travel time”, he said.
Representative of the contractor, Lubrik Construction Nigeria Limited, Mr Anthony El-Khoury, appreciated the FCT Minister for his visionary leadership, and pledged their company’s commitment to delivering quality infrastructure with professionalism, excellence and integrity.
