From Today To Tomorrow: Bago’s Grand Plan To Make Niger A Model For Development

Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has launched a comprehensive 20-year short-term development plan for the proposed New Bida Town, aimed at transforming the city in line with his administration’s Urban Renewal Development agenda.

Speaking during a town hall meeting and stakeholders’ engagement held in Bida on Sunday, the governor emphasized that the plan is designed to drive socio-economic growth and fast-track infrastructural development in the region. The event was organized by the Ministry of Lands and Survey in collaboration with the New Niger Development Project.

Highlighting the project’s scope, Bago announced the construction of a 44km dual-carriage Ring Road with a 1km buffer zone on both sides to ease traffic congestion and enhance public safety. He added that the initiative would include provision of essential infrastructure, such as a 100-megawatt solar farm and improved social amenities.

“This new development will not only decongest the city but also serve as a foundation for a modern, thriving urban center,” he said. He further revealed that the plan would unfold in two phases—a 20-year short-term plan followed by a 50-year long-term strategy.

According to the governor, over three million trailers pass through Bida each month, representing a yet-untapped opportunity for the state to generate up to N3 billion in monthly revenue.

Addressing public concerns about land acquisition, Bago assured residents that no land would be forcefully taken. “We are not here to seize land; we are here to create organized layouts. Property owners affected by the project will be duly compensated,” he stated, urging affected persons to cooperate with relevant MDAs and avoid unlawful actions.

He also warned residents to be wary of illegal land grabbers and called for collective support to ensure the success of the initiative.

In his remarks, the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, lauded the plan, urging residents to support the government’s vision, emphasizing its importance during times of economic hardship and poor infrastructure. He called for prayers for the governor’s continued wisdom and health.

The Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Mrs. Maurice Magaji, described the initiative as a landmark moment that lays the groundwork for sustainable economic and environmental development in Bida.

Other dignitaries present, including Retired Major-General Mohammed Garba and Prof. Muhammad Kuta Yahaya, praised the governor’s efforts and urged the public to rally behind the project to achieve meaningful progress.