POLITICAL Economy

Tinubu to Inaugurate Kaduna-Kano Railway

by admin on | 2026-11-09 13:52:13

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Tinubu to Inaugurate Kaduna-Kano Railway

By Ahmad Sirajo Makama

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is accelerating the completion of major railway infrastructure projects in Northern Nigeria, with the Kaduna–Kano Standard Gauge Railway scheduled for inauguration on December 3, 2026.

The 203-kilometre Kaduna–Zaria–Kano railway, identified as one of the administration’s legacy infrastructure projects, has reached approximately 90 per cent completion ahead of its planned inauguration.

A statement signed by the Spokesperson of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Mr Dele Alake, disclosed that both railway projects had recorded substantial progress under President Tinubu’s administration.

According to the statement, when President Tinubu assumed office in 2023, the Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway project was barely five per cent complete, while the Kaduna–Kano railway had recorded less than 30 per cent completion.

The Council stated that the progress recorded on both projects reflects the administration’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s railway infrastructure, strengthening regional connectivity and facilitating the movement of passengers and goods within the country and across its borders.

It explained that the Kaduna–Kano railway, an extension of the existing Abuja–Kaduna standard gauge line, would establish a continuous rail connection linking Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria and Kano, thereby improving transportation between major commercial centres in Northern Nigeria.

The Council disclosed that, as part of efforts to ensure timely completion, President Tinubu directed a Federal Government team led by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funso Adebiyi, to inspect both railway projects.

It noted that during the recent inspection, the Permanent Secretary expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction work, particularly the railway alignment, drainage infrastructure, embankment protection, stone pitching and soil stabilisation.

The inspection also featured a train test run from Jaji in Kaduna State to Kano, enabling government officials to assess the completed track infrastructure and passenger comfort.

To facilitate the completion of the entire railway corridor, President Tinubu directed the immediate resolution of outstanding land acquisition and compensation issues within Kaduna metropolis.

The Council further disclosed that the completed 190-kilometre Jaji–Kano section of the 205-kilometre Kaduna–Kano railway, alongside the 250-kilometre Dawanu–Kano–Kazaure–Daura–Katsina section of the Kano–Maradi railway, would be inaugurated on December 3, 2026.

When operational, the Kaduna–Kano railway will improve passenger transportation, facilitate commercial activities and provide an alternative to road travel along one of Northern Nigeria’s busiest commercial corridors.

Similarly, the Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway, which has attained 70 per cent completion, is expected to strengthen cross-border transportation and facilitate trade between Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic.

The Council reaffirmed that, in line with President Tinubu’s development agenda, ongoing infrastructure projects across the country would be delivered according to schedule