President Bola Tinubu has described the railway system as a means of integration among cities and nations, assuring of his administration’s commitment to reviving and revitalising the services.
The President made the pledge on Monday during the 2nd international railway conference held in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
According to the host and Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Alkali,the meeting organised to evolve new railways operational techniques, funding options and platforms for collaboration.
The objective of the conference was also to prioritise the railways, by placing them on top of socio-economic agenda of states and nations within the African continent.
It is against the backdrop of the critical role the system plays in the transportation ecosystem, coupled with the nation’s growing population, that President Tinubu said efforts are on top gear to upscale services.
Tinubu, who spoke through Vice President Kashim Shettima, recalled how the railway infrastructure signaled the dawn of the paced industrial revolution with the discovery of the steam engine, concluding that it became the bridge between our agricultural commodities and the rest of the world.
He added that the railway served as the most reliable means of mass transportation for our people.
“Today, more than at any point in our journey as a nation, we are in greater need of railway services for two compelling reasons. The size of our economy and the sheer scale of our population.
“Two hundred and thirty million people are aging towards two hundred and fifty million. And by 2050, we’ll be the third most populous nation on earth. We’ll surpass the United States, and our population will hit four hundred and forty million people”, the President stated.
He emphasised that as Africa’s logistics ‘capital’, Nigeria must be at the vanguard of reinvigorating railways, to meet the challenges of the time.
Specifically, the President noted that “the challenge ahead of us is to lead this race as the logistics hub of Africa by reviving and revitalizing our railway services”.
His words: “We must be conscious of our place as the anchor of West Africa’s economy and home to the continent’s largest population as we prepare for the adoption of modern railway infrastructure.
“This awakening inspired projects such as the Kano-Maradi railway modernization would open new gateways for trade under the African continental free trade area.
“Our agenda is shaped by the urgent need to reduce the burden on our roads and highways. Decades of over-reliance on road transportation have led to congestion, rapid deterioration of infrastructure, and higher accident rates.
“Railways offer safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives, reducing carbon emissions and reinforcing our commitment to sustainable development.
“But the task of maximizing the immense opportunities in the railway sector is not one we consider easy. It requires networks, partnerships, and robust collaboration with stakeholders. This is why our ongoing modernization projects Legos to Kano, Kano to Maravi, and Petrako to Maidugui are designed with open doors for private sector participation.”
He concluded thus: “We must ensure not only timely completion, but also sustainability and efficient utilization of these projects. I am happy to note that upon the takeover of the present administration, the Kano-Maravi rail project was 5% completed. Now we are inching towards 60% completion.
“And it is to the eternal credit of His Excellency President Bola Amartini-Booth that we have accomplished so much. His Excellency the President has demonstrated time and again our national determination to connect our cities through roads and railways.
“Our aspiration is for a nationwide industry that can convey their products to the market and where raw materials can move seamlessly from primary producers to industries without hindrance”.
Earlier in his speech, the Minister of Transportation, Senator Alkali, highlighted that the gathering was not only to review progress, but to re-imagine the railway as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s transportation which is recognised as enabler of economic growth across jurisdictions.
He further noted that stakeholders and players are expected to share knowledge and experience across jurisdictions on emerging trends, funding opportunities and prospects of railway services as catalyst for national development.
According to him: “This discussion will maximise the potentials of the railway sub-sector as viable option for boosting commerce through geographical mobility and general economic growth through connectivity and collaborations.
“I am glad to inform you that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Administration has accorded special priority to transportation in recognition of the above reality credited to transportation as gateway to the nation’s economy”.
Alkali mentioned that under the current administration, the ministry has facilitated accelerated execution of the 203km Kaduna-Kano on going rail modernization project from 15% at the inception of the Administration to 53% and the 387 km Kano – Maradi with extension to Dutse from 5% to 60%.
“While the Kaduna – Kano project will be ready for completion and commissioning by December 2026, the Kano – Maradi project will reach Katsina by December this year and be ready for completion and commissioning by March 2027.
“Successful completion of rehabilitation of Lagos – Kano Old Narrow Gauge for freight of goods from the seaports to connect to Dala Inland Dry Port to put it to use.
“Recent Federal Executive Council approval for the construction of one modern One-Bus Terminal in each geopolitical zone of the Country to be situated at Abeokuta (South West), Onitsha (South East), Warri, (South-South), Lokoja (North Central), Kano (North West) and Gombe (North East). This development will enhance efficiency, public safety and welfare of passengers;
“Successful facilitation of takeoff of the Federal University of Transportation Daura whose manpower status at the inception of the Administration has only a Vice Chancellor;
“Supported the operationalisation of the laudable Presidential initiative on compressed Natural Gas through establishment of CNG Conversion Centres and training of over 6,000 transport professionals in 2024 alone by the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) Zaria to administer transport initiatives, laws and policies;
Facilitated the provision of Presidential transport festive relief programme across the county during Yuletide which transported over I million passengers free by rail and road in 2023 and 2024 respectively to enhance security and welfare of Nigerians”.
In his remarks, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, commended ongoing efforts to revolutionise the railways.
“This Government offers us an opportunity to deepen mutual understanding, clarify the frameworks of appealing the project, and strengthen confidence in each implementation pathway.
“As Government, the interest is to encourage genuine partners that develop tenable results, co-concerns that align with our long-term development vision, and a renewed core agenda. On this note, I assure you that the Office of Secretary of Government of the Federation will continue to provide the necessary coordination with relevant ministries”, Akume said.
