By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally requested Senate approval for a loan facility totaling $516,333,007 from Deutsche Bank AG to finance the construction of Sections 1, Phase 1a, and 1b of the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway.

In a letter addressed to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and read during Thursday’s plenary session, the President described the 1,000-kilometer flagship project as a strategic corridor designed to link Nigeria’s Northwest to the Southwest. The highway will run from Illela in Sokoto State, passing through Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, and Ogun, and terminate in Badagry, Lagos State.

According to the letter, the loan will specifically cover 120 kilometers of the total route. The financing arrangement is structured as a syndicated loan secured through Deutsche Bank, backed by a partial risk guarantee from the Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit (ICIEC), the insurance arm of the Islamic Development Bank.

President Tinubu noted that the Federal Government will provide counterpart funding of ₦265,542,689,569 to cover land acquisition, compensation, and ancillary infrastructure. The loan carries a nine-year tenor, including a three-year grace period, with an interest rate not exceeding the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) SOFR plus 5.3 percent per annum.

The President confirmed that the Federal Executive Council has already approved the financing arrangement and urged the Senate to incorporate the loan into the national borrowing plan. The letter emphasized that the superhighway will improve north-south connectivity, enhance road safety, reduce logistics costs, strengthen trade and food security, and support national cohesion by linking production zones to markets and ports. The central median is also being reserved for future rail integration and utility corridors.

Senate President Akpabio referred the request to the Committee on Foreign and Local Debts, which is expected to report back within one week.

Speaking in support of the project, Senator Mohammed Adamu Aliero (Kebbi Central) described it as a long-overdue initiative, noting that it has been in development for 55 years. “I have inspected the project and I have seen the progress made. I am highly impressed,” Aliero said.

He confirmed that ongoing work includes both concrete and asphalt roads fitted with solar streetlights, and estimated that travel time from Sokoto to Lagos would drop by more than 70 percent — from 13 hours to approximately six hours — upon completion. He urged the Senate to grant expeditious approval once the committee submits its report.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, on Thursday said he is now a “freelance politician” with no direct ties to any political party.

Mohammed made the remark while hosting a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, and stakeholders from the South-East in Bauchi.

The governor said the meeting centred on national unity and collaboration, noting that the discussions were not driven by partisan interests.

“Neither PDP nor ADC is standing alone. I am a freelance politician now, and his party is also in limbo. We are looking up to the judiciary.

“Certainly, we are all in the opposition, and that is why I say this is a political discussion. We will not disclose everything we have discussed in terms of the ‘I’s and ‘t’s we have crossed,” he said.

He added that ongoing engagements among political actors were focused on possible realignment and cooperation ahead of future elections.

“We cannot operate without a platform. At the end of the day, the current political situation may even help unify us and strengthen our chances of winning elections,” he added.

Mohammed described Obi’s visit as symbolic, saying it reflected efforts to build bridges across regions.

“He is talking about unifying the country, building bridges, and creating a new tomorrow for Nigeria. This is what we stand for as a state and as a people. We feel highly honoured by this visit,” Mohammed said.

Speaking earlier, Obi said the visit was aimed at fostering unity and strengthening collaboration across the country.

“My purpose is to solicit support and cooperation among stakeholders, particularly from the Bauchi state, in our quest to unite this country,” Obi said.

The Federal Government has officially launched the Energise Commercialisation initiative, a nationwide programme aimed at transforming innovative ideas into market-ready products and services.

Speaking at a press briefing in Kano, Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Kinsley Tochukwu Udeh, said the initiative shows the government’s commitment to unlocking Nigeria’s innovation potential and driving economic growth through research and development.

Dr. Udeh explained that dignitaries and global partners are expected to converge on Kano from across Nigeria and beyond to participate in the programme. He noted that the gathering reflects the growing interest in Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem and the need to connect local talent with international opportunities and partnerships.

According to the minister, Nigeria is not lacking in ideas but has historically struggled with converting those ideas into revenue-generating ventures. He said the Energise Commercialisation programme is designed to bridge that gap by supporting innovators through the process of developing viable, market-driven solutions.

He further stated that the initiative will extend beyond its initial technical sessions in the North-West geopolitical zone. “After the North-West phase, we will move to other geopolitical zones to ensure nationwide participation,” Dr. Udeh said, emphasizing the Federal Government’s plan to make the programme inclusive and far-reaching.

The minister disclosed that more than 1,000 entries have already been received from innovators across the country. He added that the Federal Government is working in collaboration with regional governors to strengthen participation and ensure that promising ideas are identified and supported at the grassroots level.

Dr. Udeh highlighted the role of young women in the programme, noting that their innovative efforts will be nurtured and positioned for success in the marketplace. He said the initiative is focused on equipping participants with the tools and support needed to compete effectively in both local and global markets.

Describing the programme as a strategic investment, the minister said the government is committed to funding and developing innovation-driven projects that can generate economic value. He added that Energise Commercialisation is designed to stimulate a surge in viable research outcomes and practical innovations.

He also noted that the government is anticipating strong engagement from captains of industry, who are expected to play a key role in mentoring participants and supporting the commercialisation of research outputs. According to him, this collaboration will help bridge the gap between academia, innovation, and industry.

Dr. Udeh revealed that Kano State has recorded the highest number of entries so far, making it a natural choice for the national launch of the programme. He described Kano as Nigeria’s ancient commercial hub, adding that its historical and economic significance makes it an ideal host city.

He further explained that the choice of Kano was influenced by the support of the state government, particularly in providing logistics and enabling a conducive environment for the event. The minister commended the Kano State Government for its commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

Dr. Udeh said the programme is focused on building a sustainable platform that connects innovators, investors, and policymakers. He noted that contingents from the seven North-Western states have already arrived in Kano and set up their pavilions, showcasing a wide range of innovative ideas and projects.

He described Energise Commercialisation as a multi-stakeholder initiative anchored by the Federal Government, with strong institutional support at regional and state levels. According to him, the programme includes facilitation committees that will oversee implementation and ensure effective coordination.

The minister added that state governments have been tasked with identifying and nurturing talent from local government areas, ensuring that innovation opportunities are not limited to urban centres. He stressed that the inclusion of grassroots participants is critical to the success of the initiative and the overall development of Nigeria’s innovation ecosystem.

Those that jointly attended the briefing are the state commissioner for information Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya and the Kano state ALGON chairman Hajiya Saadatu Yushau who is also the chairman of Tudun Wada Local Government area .