From Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna

The Kaduna State Government has issued a firm directive for the immediate acceleration and completion of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Western Bypass, declaring ongoing delays “completely unacceptable” in the wake of repeated fatal accidents along the corridor.

The decision followed an emergency stakeholders’ meeting convened at the instance of Governor Uba Sani, who expressed grave concern over the rising number of crashes on the 21.

5-kilometre expressway stretching from Command Junction through the bypass to Mando Roundabout.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, the Commissioner for Information & Culture, Mallam Ahmed Maiyaki, conveyed the Governor’s deep concern and urgency:

“His Excellency is profoundly disturbed by the tragic loss of lives recorded on this highway.

No level of progress can justify the continued loss of even a single life. This situation is intolerable, and decisive action must be taken immediately.”

The high-level meeting brought together critical stakeholders, including representatives of the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), KASTELEA, the main contractor Dangote Industries, subcontractors Tata & Sao, and leadership of transport unions such as NARTO, NURTW, and ACCOMORAN.

Maiyaki noted that although the project was awarded in 2021, prior to the current administration, progress had been sluggish until Governor Uba Sani personally intervened.

“Since the Governor’s direct engagement, we have seen a marked improvement in the pace of work. However, progress alone is not enough—timely completion is now non-negotiable.”

According to updates from the Federal Controller of Highways and contractors, approximately 19 kilometres of the road have been completed. Despite the official delivery timeline of December 2026, the Governor has now issued a clear directive for an earlier completion date.

“His Excellency has made it unequivocally clear: this project must be delivered ahead of schedule. Any further delay will not beOK tolerated.”

To ensure strict compliance, the government has established a multi-agency task force to monitor construction and enforce safety measures around the clock, particularly during the rainy season.

The task force, chaired by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works, includes the FRSC, KASTELEA, Federal Ministry of Works officials, contractors, community representatives, traditional leaders, and transport unions. The Ministry of Information has been mandated to lead an aggressive public awareness and behavioral change campaign.

Maiyaki underscored that unsafe road use has been a major contributing factor to the accidents, noting that several high-risk crossing points have been identified.

“Beyond infrastructure, human behaviour remains a critical challenge. We are working closely with communities to enforce safer road usage. Recklessness on our roads must stop.”

He further stressed that both construction standards and road usage must align with global best practices:

“We are committed to ensuring that this road meets international safety standards—not just in design, but in how it is used.”

The government’s intervention follows mounting pressure from community leaders and youth groups, who have described the situation along the bypass as a “serious public safety emergency” with far-reaching economic and social consequences.

With the new directive and enforcement mechanisms in place, the Kaduna State Government says it is determined to restore safety, accelerate delivery, and ensure that the Western Bypass serves its intended purpose without further loss of life.

By Tony Obiechina, Abuja

Lagos, Rivers and Kaduna states have emerged as Nigeria’s most indebted subnational governments, according to the latest data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), highlighting intensifying fiscal pressures across the country’s tiers of government amid a rising national debt profile.

The NBS, in its Nigeria Q4 2025 Domestic and External Debt Report published on Monday, disclosed that Lagos State continues to dominate the debt landscape, recording N1.

22trn in domestic debt alongside $1.17bn in external obligations.

The figures reinforce Lagos’ position not only as Nigeria’s commercial hub but also as the most leveraged state, reflecting its extensive infrastructure financing needs and large-scale economic commitments.

Rivers State ranked second in domestic debt with N378.81bn, underscoring its continued reliance on borrowing to support expenditure, particularly in a volatile revenue environment tied to oil receipts. Kaduna State, meanwhile, stood out on the external debt front with $684.29m, placing it among the most exposed states to foreign currency liabilities.

The broader national picture points to a steady escalation in public debt. Nigeria’s total debt stock rose to N159.28trn (approximately $110.97bn) in the fourth quarter of 2025, up from N153.29trn ($103.94bn) recorded in the preceding quarter.

This represents a 3.90 per cent increase quarter-on-quarter, reflecting sustained borrowing at both federal and subnational levels to bridge fiscal gaps and fund critical expenditures.

A closer look at the composition of the debt shows that external borrowings stood at N74.43trn, accounting for 46.73 per cent of the total, while domestic debt reached N84.85trn, representing 53.27 per cent. The near-even split highlights Nigeria’s dual dependence on local and foreign financing sources, even as exchange rate pressures continue to elevate the cost of servicing external debt.

Beyond the top three states, the report identified several other sub-nationals with significant debt burdens. Bauchi State recorded $220.57m in external debt and N156.05bn domestically, while Delta State posted $63.42m in external obligations alongside N248.83bn in domestic debt. Enugu State also featured prominently, with $99.88m in external debt and N157.60bn in domestic borrowings.

In contrast, some states maintained relatively low debt profiles. Jigawa State reported the least domestic debt at N1.60bn, followed by Ondo State with N8.42bn.

On the external side, the Federal Capital Territory recorded the lowest exposure at $26.80m, with Zamfara State following at $41.93m, suggesting varying fiscal strategies and borrowing capacities across the federation.

The growing debt burden has become a focal point of concern for policymakers, economists and citizens alike, particularly as debt servicing obligations continue to absorb a significant share of government revenues.

Analysts warn that this trend could constrain fiscal flexibility and limit the government’s ability to respond to economic shocks or invest in long-term development priorities.

Economic analysts note that while Lagos, Rivers and Kaduna’s positions as leading debtor states partly reflect their economic size, population and development ambitions, the scale of their obligations raises important questions about debt sustainability at the subnational level.

They argue that without commensurate growth in internally generated revenue and more efficient public spending, the reliance on borrowing could heighten fiscal risks over time.

As Nigeria continues to navigate a complex economic environment marked by inflationary pressures, exchange rate volatility and constrained revenues, the trajectory of public debt, particularly at the state level, is expected to remain a critical issue for fiscal policy and economic stability.

From Rabiu Sanusi, Kano

Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has lauded the House Prosperity and Empowerment-Cash Transfer program for achieving significant milestones in transparency, operational efficiency, and beneficiary outreach across the state.

He made the statement when reviewing the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr.

Bernard M. Doro at Government House Kano on Monday.

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mustapha Muhammad on Monday, Governor Yusuf disclosed that the programme recorded 609,013 beneficiaries within the state.

He further revealed that citizens living below the poverty threshold received a total of N48,276,150,000 through the initiative.

“This achievement reflects the programmes far-reaching commitment to poverty alleviation, social inclusion, and economic empowerment,” the Governor stated.

Yusuf, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Dr. Sulaiman Wali Sani urged beneficiaries to view the support not merely as temporary assistance, but as a seed and a catalyst for growth.

He expressed appreciation to Minister Dr. Bernard Doro for his visionary leadership, dedication, and consistent support toward the implementation of the National Social Safety Net Project-Scale Up (NA SSP-SU).

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr. Bernard Doro, informed the Governor that he was leading a delegation from the Ministry to meet with stakeholders and beneficiaries to assess the progress of the programme.

The minister noted that the volume of funds received by Kano citizens exceeds the combined total of four other states, and he commended the state government for maintaining transparency throughout the process.

In her welcome address, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Children and Persons with Special Needs, Hajiya Amina Abdullahi (HOD), confirmed that the programme is proceeding smoothly and noted that beneficiaries have expressed immense gratitude for the gesture.