President Bola Tinubu has commended the remarkable strides recorded by Kaduna State under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani, describing the state as “a rising star in Nigeria’s development journey” during a working visit on Thursday that saw him inaugurate several infrastructure projects.
The President, who was received to a rousing welcome at Murtala Square in Kaduna, praised the transformation efforts in the state, especially the progress made in security, education, healthcare, and transportation.
“From insecurity to inclusion, Kaduna is clearly on the rise. I am pleased to be back in Kaduna State, a place that holds deep connections in my political and democratic journey,” Tinubu told the cheering crowd. “Kaduna is rising again. We are going to do it together. Peace is the hallmark of development, and I am proud of the peace now reigning in areas like Birnin Gwari. Our administration will continue to back every effort that sustains growth and security.”
The President commissioned several projects, including a 300-bed specialist hospital aimed at expanding access to quality healthcare, three new vocational skills and training centres located in Rigachikun, Soba, and Samaru Kataf, and a fleet of 100 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses designed to improve public transportation while promoting clean energy.
He also inaugurated the remodelled Panteka Market, now branded as Africa’s largest informal skills hub, housing more than 38,000 artisans. Several major road projects were flagged off during the visit, such as the 24-kilometre Kafanchan township road, the Tudun Biri road, and the 22-kilometre Kauru-Kubau link road expected to boost economic activity in those areas.
Speaking at the event, Governor Sani lauded President Tinubu’s commitment to development, describing him as “a visionary leader who has redefined national priorities.” He highlighted reforms in education, rural development, and agriculture as central to Kaduna’s growth.
“Our identity is no longer fear, we are defined by productivity, education, and progress,” the governor said. He disclosed that over 535 schools previously shut due to insecurity have reopened and that more than 500,000 hectares of abandoned farmland have been restored to productive use. He added that 79 roads covering 780 kilometres have been constructed, 62 new secondary schools built, and over 1,000 classrooms renovated during his administration. To ease the cost burden on residents, Sani announced six months of free rides on the newly launched CNG buses for students, civil servants, and pensioners, as well as a 50 per cent reduction in tuition fees across all state-owned tertiary institutions.
Former Vice President Namadi Sambo, who began the specialist hospital project during his tenure as governor in 2009, expressed satisfaction with its completion, describing it as “a dream fulfilled.” He noted that the state had previously struggled with fewer than 3,000 hospital beds for its population of over six million.
President Tinubu also revealed that the proposed Kaduna Light Rail project has been allotted N100 billion in the 2025 federal budget to boost the state’s transportation system.
