Tinubu targets December inauguration of Kaduna-Kano rail project
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has intensified efforts to complete major railway 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 project has reached approximately 90 per cent completion, while the 400-kilometre Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway project is now 70 per cent complete, according to the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council.
In a statement issued on November 8, the council’s spokesperson, Dele Alake, said the projects had recorded significant progress since Tinubu assumed office in 2023.
Alake disclosed that the Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway was barely five per cent complete when the president took office, while the Kaduna–Kano project was below 30 per cent completion.
He said the projects reflected the administration’s commitment to expanding railway infrastructure, improving regional connectivity and facilitating the movement of passengers and goods across Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
The Federal Government recently inspected both projects through a team led by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funso Adebiyi, following a directive from President Tinubu.
According to Alake, the inspection team expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction, 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 to assess the completed track infrastructure and passenger comfort.
Alake said Tinubu had directed the immediate resolution of outstanding land acquisition and compensation issues within Kaduna metropolis to facilitate the completion of the railway corridor linking Abuja and Kano.
He added 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 project, would 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 also expected to strengthen cross-border transportation and trade between Nigeria and the neighbouring Niger Republic.
The council said the Tinubu administration remained committed to delivering ongoing infrastructure projects across the country as scheduled.
