President Tinubu Accelerates Completion of Major Railway Projects in Northern Nigeria
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has intensified efforts to accelerate the completion of major railway infrastructure projects across Northern Nigeria, as the Federal Government moves to strengthen transportation networks, improve regional connectivity and stimulate economic activities.
The development was disclosed on Sunday, November 8, 2026, by the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council (APC-PCC), which announced that the Kaduna–Kano Standard Gauge Railway is scheduled for inauguration on December 3, 2026.
According to the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, the 203-kilometre Kaduna–Zaria–Kano railway project has attained approximately 90 per cent completion, while the 400-kilometre Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway project has reached about 70 per cent completion.
The council noted that the Kaduna–Kano railway project was less than 30 per cent completed when President Tinubu assumed office in 2023, while the Kano–Katsina–Maradi project was at approximately five per cent completion.
The projects are expected to significantly improve transportation across the North-West, providing passengers and businesses with more efficient alternatives to road transportation.
The Kaduna–Kano railway, which extends the existing Abuja–Kaduna standard gauge railway, will establish a continuous rail connection between Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria and Kano. This is expected to facilitate the movement of people and goods while strengthening commercial activities along the corridor.
Similarly, the Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway is expected to improve cross-border transportation and trade between Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic when fully completed.
The Federal Government has also conducted inspection exercises to assess construction quality, railway alignment, drainage infrastructure, embankment protection and other essential components of the projects.
However, outstanding land acquisition and compensation issues in parts of Kaduna metropolis have been identified as challenges affecting the completion of certain sections. President Tinubu has reportedly directed that the outstanding matters be addressed to facilitate the completion of the Abuja–Kano railway connection.
The government has also approved additional railway coaches and surveillance equipment to improve passenger transportation and strengthen security against banditry, kidnapping and vandalism along railway corridors.
The renewed push to complete the projects forms part of the Federal Government’s broader infrastructure development agenda, with expectations that an expanded railway network will support trade, create employment opportunities, improve mobility and contribute to economic development across Northern Nigeria.
