The Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu has warned that no citizen should be made a victim of national development, stressing that national progress must not come at the expense of ordinary citizens.
President Tinubu gave the warning in Abuja on Thursday, while inaugurating the newly constructed seven-kilometre access road, from Apport Road (Bill Clinton Drive) to Tungan Madaki, bypassing the second runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
The President, who was represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, said the project has connected communities that had for years been cut off from the economic hub of the Federal Capital Territory.
He said that “when it became necessary to construct the second runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the original inhabitants of this area willingly surrendered their ancestral lands.”
President Tinubu said the affected communities had made significant sacrifices for the development of the nation but were left without basic road infrastructure.
“They sacrificed for the collective good of the entire nation, yet they had no motorable road for their own vehicles and motorcycles. They were cut off from the FCT and from the very airport for which they gave up their lands,” he said.
The Nigerian leader said; “Let me state this clearly: no citizen should be made a victim of national development.
“When the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, brought this matter to my attention, my directive was clear and unequivocal: whatever the communities ask for to make their lives better and whole, give it to them.
“My administration will not only take from communities; we will build them. We will restore, replace and elevate their standard of living. Today, I am pleased to say that we have fulfilled that solemn promise.”
President Tinubu described the 7-kilometre access road as more than just an infrastructure project, calling it “an economic artery” that would improve connectivity and stimulate development.
He said the road would ease traffic congestion, particularly along Bill Clinton Drive, while providing easier access for airport users and travellers.
“More importantly, we are unlocking the economic potential of Tungan Madaki and surrounding communities, including Zuba.
“The road guarantees that whether in the dry season or during 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 is all about — reducing hardship by building infrastructure that works for the people,” he said.
President Tinubu commended the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and his team saying: “In February 2025, I approved this project. You mobilised immediately, and 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 and continue to give to all Nigerians.”
In his remarks, the Minister explained that instead of requesting monetary compensation, the community requested for road and job opportunities for their children, “and by the grace of God, we have given them.
He said; “I never believed that we have this level of suffering by people not having access to the city.
“This community has lost hope. They don’t believe in the government, but because of this administration, hope has returned to them.
“Now they can feel the impact of the government; now they know what governance is all about.
“I feel happy that under the leadership of Tinubu, we are given the opportunity to be part of this history that changing the narrative in rural communities.”
Wike said that the road connects two area councils, Abuja Municipal Area and Gwagwalada Area Councils and would enable easy access to the airport from Zuba.
He disclosed that a contract has been awarded to extend the road to Zuba, adding that it would be completed in December.
The Minister however warned land-grabbers against taking advantage of the road to defraud the people saying “allow the community to enjoy the dividends of democracy.
“To the community, we will give you Certificate of Occupancy to all lands where you belong.”
The District Head of the community, Malam Muhammad Haruna, said on the sideline of the official inauguration of the road, that the development would change their lives for good.
Haruna commended President Tinubu and the FCT Minister for bringing governance to their door steps and for taking steps to improve their livelihoods.
He said that for decades, daily life in the community was characterised by isolation, economic stagnation, and inaccessibility to schools.
“We are happy that this narrative has completely changed. The completion of this critical road, linking Bill Clinton Drive directly to the heart of my community has brought widespread relief and celebration among my people.
“This is a turning point in the history of our community after years of administrative neglect by successive governments.
“Prior to this intervention, the community’s agrarian economy was severely bottlenecked by a dilapidated road network and absence of a memorable bridge that cut us from the rest of FCT, especially during the rainy season.
“We have suffered for decades. It has not been easy for us to transport our produce from the farms to the community, let alone to external markets, but today we are joyful that our story has changed,” he said.
The traditional ruler said that with the new infrastructure seamlessly connecting local farms to consumer hubs, transport costs have reduced and farm-to-market logistics also reduced.
According to him post-harvest losses would equally drop, a development that would significantly increase farmers’ earning and in the long run, improve their livelihoods.
Haruna said that beyond the economic impact, the new road would also resolve the severe seasonal education crisis being experienced in the community.
He explained that Tungan Madaki hosts a major senior secondary school meant to serve a wide cluster of neighboring communities.
Haruna however, said that during the rainy season, the collapsed bridge and washed-out terrain made trekking too dangerous, barring students from neighbouring communities from accessing the school.
“The completion of this road project has permanently restored safe and daily access to the school, eliminating seasonal drop-out rates caused by hazardous infrastructure.
However, while celebrating the milestone, the community leadership noted that full empowerment requires addressing a few remaining structural challenges.
To complement their newfound mobility, Haruna appealed to Wike to provide potable drinking water to the communities, which remains a critical missing link for the residents’ health and wellness.
