By Sule Aliyu, Bauchi
The Bauchi State Government has secured a US$91.6 million infrastructure financing facility from the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) to fund the construction and rehabilitation of 24 strategic roads and bridges across the state.
Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammad announced the development on his return from Lomé, Togo, where he led a high-powered state delegation to the headquarters of EBID for the formal signing of the Bauchi State Transport Infrastructure Financing Programme.
The governor disclosed that the loan facility was secured after 18 months of negotiations and is backed by a Federal Government guarantee.
He said the financing has already been captured in the state’s 2026 budget and expressed optimism that the funds would be accessed in August 2026.
Governor Muhammad assured residents that all ongoing road projects would be completed before the end of his administration.
He was accompanied on the trip by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Aminu Hammayo; the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Hassan El-Yakub; the Commissioner for Finance, Alhaji Sadiq Hamisu Shira; and other senior government officials.
Under the agreement, the funds will be used to construct and rehabilitate roads and bridges across urban centres, rural communities and key inter-zonal corridors, significantly improving transportation and connectivity throughout the state.
The government said the projects are expected to stimulate economic growth by creating jobs, reducing transportation costs, improving access to markets and strengthening agricultural and commercial supply chains.
The initiative also aligns with the Bauchi State Government’s broader vision of using infrastructure as a catalyst for sustainable development and economic transformation.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, EBID President, Dr. George Agyekum Donkor, said countries that have achieved sustainable industrialisation did so through sustained investment in infrastructure.
He noted that efficient road networks are critical to business growth and observed that while Nigeria has made significant progress in diversifying its economy beyond oil, maintaining that momentum depends largely on continued investment in transport infrastructure.
Dr. Donkor described the Bauchi State Transport Infrastructure Programme as a strategically important investment, noting that Bauchi is one of Nigeria’s largest states with vast agricultural potential that can only be fully realised through an efficient transportation network.
He also commended Governor Muhammad for his visionary leadership and commitment to infrastructure-driven development.
Responding, Governor Muhammad thanked the President, management and staff of EBID for their confidence in the Bauchi State Government.
He assured the bank that the funds would be managed prudently and transparently to ensure the successful execution of the projects and the delivery of their intended socio-economic benefits.
The governor said the financing will also cover major road projects, including the Mararraban Liman Katagum–Bununu, Soro–Miya, Gumau–Kaduna Border, and Bara–Wanka roads in Kirfi Local Government Area.
He further pledged to resume stalled urban renewal projects, including roads within the Government Reserved Area (GRA) and bridges across Bauchi metropolis, saying the projects now have full financial backing.
According to him, the investments will reduce travel time, improve access to farming communities, bridge critical infrastructure gaps and strengthen Bauchi State’s position as a growing hub for economic development and regional connectivity.
The signing of the financing agreement marks a significant milestone in Bauchi State’s drive to modernise its transport infrastructure and accelerate sustainable economic development.