ABUJA: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has intensified efforts to complete major railway infrastructure projects in Northern Nigeria, with the 203-kilometre Kaduna–Kano Standard Gauge Railway scheduled for inauguration on December 3, 2026.
According to a statement issued by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, the Kaduna–Kano railway project has reached approximately 90 per cent completion, while the 400-kilometre Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway project has attained 70 per cent completion.
The development represents a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to expand railway transportation, improve connectivity between major commercial centres and strengthen the movement of passengers and goods across Northern Nigeria.
The APC Presidential Campaign Council described the progress as evidence of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to completing strategic railway projects inherited from previous administrations and expanding the country’s transportation infrastructure.
The campaign council disclosed that a Federal Government inspection team, led by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funso Adebiyi, recently visited the project sites on the directive of President Tinubu to assess construction progress and ensure that the railway infrastructure meets the required standards.
During the inspection, the team reportedly expressed satisfaction with the quality of work carried out, particularly the railway alignment, drainage infrastructure, embankment protection, stone pitching and soil stabilisation.
The inspection also featured a train test-run journey from Jaji in Kaduna State to Kano, allowing government officials to assess the completed track infrastructure and passenger comfort.
The test run was described as an important step towards evaluating the readiness of the completed sections for inauguration and eventual passenger services.
As part of efforts to ensure the timely completion of the railway corridor, President Tinubu has directed the immediate resolution of outstanding land acquisition and compensation issues within Kaduna metropolis.
The directive is expected to remove outstanding challenges affecting the completion of the railway connection between Abuja and Kano.
The APC Presidential Campaign Council further disclosed that the completed 190-kilometre Jaji–Kano section of the Kaduna–Kano railway, alongside the 250-kilometre Dawanu–Kano–Kazaure–Daura–Katsina section of the Kano–Maradi railway, is scheduled for inauguration on December 3, 2026.
This means the December inauguration will cover completed sections of the railway projects rather than the entire 400-kilometre Kano–Katsina–Maradi corridor.
When fully operational, the Kaduna–Kano Standard Gauge Railway is expected to provide a continuous rail connection between Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria and Kano, creating an alternative transportation option along one of Northern Nigeria’s busiest commercial corridors.
The railway is also expected to facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, manufactured goods, passengers and other commercial commodities, potentially reducing transportation difficulties and strengthening economic activities across the region.
Similarly, the Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway is designed to strengthen transportation and commercial links between Nigeria and the neighbouring Republic of Niger.
Its completion is expected to support cross-border trade, improve access to markets and create additional opportunities for businesses operating along the railway corridor.
The Federal Government has maintained that expanding railway infrastructure remains an important component of its broader transportation and economic development agenda.
The APC Presidential Campaign Council reaffirmed that the Tinubu administration remained committed to ensuring that ongoing infrastructure projects across the country were completed according to schedule.
As December 3 approaches, attention will be on the delivery of the scheduled railway sections and the extent to which the projects translate into improved transportation services, commercial opportunities and economic benefits for communities across Northern Nigeria.
By RapidoSpace News
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