Half a year after their commissioning, the much-publicised bus terminals at Kugbo and Mabushi in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have yet to function as intended.
This has raised concerns among stakeholders and residents about the fate of the project designed to improve urban transportation and enhance commuter safety.
The Mabushi Bus Terminal, officially unveiled on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, and Kugbo Bus Terminal on Thursday, June 26, 2025 was celebrated as a landmark project aimed at sanitising public transport operations in Abuja.
At the inauguration, President Bola Tinubu, represented by Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, described the terminal as a critical step toward ensuring safer, more organised, and accountable transport services within the capital city.
Similarly, the Kugbo terminal, strategically located near an industrial zone, was designed to serve as a major transport hub, offering structured boarding systems and reducing the risks associated with roadside vehicle loading.
Despite the initial optimism, both facilities remain largely inactive months after completion.
Reports indicate that commuter traffic through the terminals is minimal, with many transport operators and passengers continuing to rely on traditional roadside pickup points instead of the designated hubs.
The slow uptake has sparked public concern over whether adequate operational plans, enforcement measures, or incentives were put in place to ensure the terminals fulfil their intended purpose.
Observers argue that without active usage and proper integration into Abuja’s transport system, the multi-billion-naira infrastructure risks becoming underutilised despite its potential to address security challenges, including the notorious “one-chance” robberies, and improve commuter experience across the city.