The Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has taken a bold step by formally petitioning President Bola Tinubu to terminate the contract for the Kaduna-Abuja highway and demanding the immediate resignation of Works Minister David Umahi over alleged mishandling of the crucial infrastructure project.
Growing Frustration Over Road Project
In a strongly worded letter dated November 26, 2025, the youth group expressed what they described as profound concern and growing frustration with the execution of the vital transportation link under Minister Umahi's leadership. The communication was sent by the Assembly's Speaker, Muhammed Salihu Danlami, directly to the Minister of Works.
The Kaduna-Abuja expressway represents a critical national asset, connecting 12 northern states to the Federal Capital Territory and southern regions of Nigeria. Despite its strategic importance, the youth group claims the road has continued to deteriorate while rehabilitation work progresses at an unacceptably slow pace.
Contract Details and Financial Concerns
According to the petition, eleven months have passed since Minister Umahi announced the award of the completion contract to Infioquest International Limited, following its revocation from Julius Berger. The youth assembly claims the project has shown minimal progress during this period.
More concerning are the financial revelations made in the petition. Danlami stated that during the contract inauguration seven months ago, Minister Umahi disclosed that the project was awarded at N500 billion, with 30 percent of this amount already approved and paid to the contractor.
This translates to approximately N150 billion already received by Infioquest International Limited, despite what the Arewa Youth Assembly characterizes as snail-paced progress on the actual road construction and rehabilitation work.
National Implications and Demands
The deteriorating condition of the Kaduna-Abuja highway has significant implications for national commerce, security, and social mobility. As a primary corridor linking northern and southern Nigeria, any deficiencies in its maintenance directly affect economic activities and passenger safety.
The Arewa Youth Assembly's demands represent growing impatience among northern youth groups with infrastructure development in the region. Their call for Minister Umahi's resignation underscores the seriousness with which they view the alleged mishandling of the project.
The group's petition now places pressure on the Tinubu administration to address these concerns transparently and take concrete action to either accelerate the project's completion or reconsider the current contractual arrangements and leadership overseeing the vital transportation artery.
