Tinubu Accelerates Northern Nigeria Rail Projects, Sets Kaduna-Kano Line for December Inauguration

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration is expediting the completion of major railway projects in Northern Nigeria. The Kaduna-Kano Standard Gauge Railway, a 203-kilometre project, is nearing completion, with approximately 90 per cent of the work done. This project is part of a broader effort to enhance railway infrastructure and connectivity in the region.

The Kano-Katsina-Maradi railway project, spanning 400 kilometres, has reached 70 per cent completion. According to the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, the projects have made significant progress since Tinubu assumed office in 2023. When Tinubu took office, the Kano-Katsina-Maradi project was only five per cent complete, while the Kaduna-Kano railway had achieved less than 30 per cent completion.

The APC Presidential Campaign Council stated that the projects demonstrate the administration's commitment to expanding railway infrastructure, improving regional connectivity, and facilitating the movement of passengers and goods across Nigeria and beyond. The Kaduna-Kano railway will establish a continuous rail connection between Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria, and Kano, linking major commercial centres in Northern Nigeria.

A Federal Government team, led by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funso Adebiyi, recently inspected the projects on the directive of President Tinubu. Adebiyi expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction, particularly the railway alignment, drainage infrastructure, embankment protection, stone pitching, and soil stabilisation.

The inspection included a train test run from Jaji in Kaduna State to Kano to assess the completed track infrastructure and passenger comfort. The council reported that the President had directed that outstanding land acquisition and compensation issues within Kaduna metropolis be resolved immediately to facilitate the completion of the railway corridor from Abuja to Kano.

The completed 190-kilometre Jaji-Kano section of the Kaduna-Kano project and the 250-kilometre Dawanu-Kano-Kazaure-Daura-Katsina section of the Kano-Maradi project are set to be inaugurated on December 3, 2026. When operational, the Kaduna-Kano railway is expected to improve passenger transportation, boost commercial activities, and provide an alternative to road travel along one of Northern Nigeria's busiest commercial corridors.

The Kano-Katsina-Maradi railway is expected to strengthen cross-border transportation and trade between Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic. The APC Presidential Campaign Council reaffirmed that, in line with President Tinubu's agenda, ongoing infrastructure projects across the country would be completed as scheduled.

Key points

• The Kaduna-Kano Standard Gauge Railway is set for inauguration on December 3, 2026.
• The Kano-Katsina-Maradi railway project has reached 70 per cent completion.
• The projects aim to improve regional connectivity and facilitate the movement of passengers and goods across Nigeria and beyond.