Tinubu Commissions Abuja Airport Bypass Road
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday declared that no Nigerian community should be made to bear the burden of national development without enjoying its benefits, as he commissioned the 7-kilometre access road bypassing the second runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport from Bill Clinton Drive to Tungan Madaki Settlement in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The project, which includes a four-span bridge, is designed to improve connectivity for residents of Tungan Madaki and adjoining communities, while also enhancing security and operational efficiency around the airport's proposed second runway.
Represented at the ceremony by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu said the road project fulfilled a promise made to host communities that surrendered their ancestral lands to facilitate the construction of the airport's second runway. According to the President, while the expansion of critical national infrastructure remains essential to economic growth and national security, such projects must not come at the expense of the welfare of affected communities.
"When it became necessary to construct the second runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, a project vital to our national security and economic expansion, the original inhabitants of this area surrendered their ancestral lands. They sacrificed for the collective good of the nation," he said. "Yet, for years, the paradox remained. These patriotic communities gave up land for airplanes to fly, yet they had no motorable roads for their own feet and vehicles. They were cut off."
"Let me state this clearly: no citizen should be made a victim of national development. When the Honourable Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, brought this matter to my attention, my directive was clear and unequivocal: 'Whatever the communities ask for to make their lives whole, give it to them.' We do not just take; we build, we replace and we elevate. Today, we have fulfilled that solemn promise."
Tinubu described the road as more than a transportation project, saying it represents an important economic corridor that would open up development opportunities for communities previously isolated from the capital city's economic activities. He noted that the road would serve three major purposes: protecting critical aviation infrastructure by reducing local traffic around sensitive airport zones, easing congestion on Bill Clinton Drive and stimulating economic activities in Tungan Madaki and neighbouring settlements.
The President also highlighted the significance of the four-span bridge along the route, describing it as a critical infrastructure designed to ensure year-round accessibility. "Whether in the height of the dry season or the peak of the rains, our farmers can move their produce, our children can go to school, and businesses can thrive without disruption. That is what the Renewed Hope Agenda means: reducing hardship by building infrastructure that works," he said.
Tinubu used the occasion to commend the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for what he described as his commitment to delivering infrastructure projects within record time. "In February 2025, I approved this project. You mobilised immediately. Today, barely 16 months later, this beautiful stretch of road is completed and ready for use. No excuses. No stories. Just delivery. That is the standard Nigerians deserve, and that is the standard this administration will maintain," he stated.
While acknowledging the economic challenges facing Nigerians, the President defended the reforms undertaken by his administration, insisting that the difficult decisions were necessary to build a stronger economy. "The reforms we embarked on three years ago were never going to be easy. We made hard choices. But they were necessary choices. Hard choices today mean a stronger Nigeria tomorrow. We are not building for headlines. We are building for generations to come. We will keep working day and night until every Nigerian feels the impact of good governance," he added.
He also urged residents to protect the road infrastructure by preventing encroachment on the right-of-way and avoiding indiscriminate dumping of refuse into drainage channels.
Earlier, Wike said the commissioning formed part of activities marking the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration and the seventh day of a 31-day programme dedicated to inaugurating completed projects across the FCT. The minister described the project as a clear demonstration of the administration's commitment to extending development beyond Abuja's city centre to underserved satellite communities.
According to him, the road project emerged from discussions with the host community during negotiations over land acquisition for the airport's second runway. Wike praised the people of Tungan Madaki for their cooperation and restraint, noting that rather than making excessive financial demands, they requested only employment opportunities for their youths and access roads to connect the community to the rest of the capital.
"I want to say that this community should be an example to other communities. They did not make unrealistic demands or attempt to frustrate government efforts. They made two simple requests: employment for their youths and roads for their community," he said.
The minister disclosed that government had already fulfilled the employment aspect of the agreement and was now delivering on the promise of road infrastructure. Recalling his first visit to the community during the project's flag-off, Wike said he was shocked by the level of hardship endured by residents living close to the nation's international gateway yet lacking access to basic road infrastructure.
"I never believed that we had this level of suffering of our people not having access to the city. Look at the international airport. This is their own community, but they could not easily access it. It was unfortunate. But today, because of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, that story is changing," he said.
Wike further revealed that the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) had directed the contractor, CCECC Nigeria Limited, to extend the road from Tungan Madaki to Zuba, a project he assured would be completed before the end of the year. According to him, the extension would further enhance connectivity between the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Gwagwalada Area Council, while providing residents of Zuba and surrounding communities easier access to the airport.
The minister also warned land grabbers against encroaching on the road corridor, stressing that the infrastructure was intended to benefit the host communities and support future development initiatives. He assured residents that government would continue to protect their interests, including facilitating access to legal land titles through the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy.
"This road is proof that when government and communities work together, progress is possible," Wike said.
The newly commissioned road is expected to improve mobility around the airport corridor, boost economic activities, enhance security around the proposed second runway and significantly improve the quality of life for residents of Tungan Madaki, Zuba and other neighbouring communities.
