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The Federal Government has scheduled December 3, 2026, for the inauguration of a completed section of the Kaduna-Kano Standard Gauge Railway project. The development marks a major step towards establishing a continuous rail connection between Abuja and Kano.
The All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council announced the date in a statement issued on November 8. Its spokesperson, Dele Alake, said the 203-kilometre Kaduna-Zaria-Kano railway project had reached approximately 90 per cent completion.
The council also disclosed that the 400-kilometre Kano-Katsina-Maradi railway project had attained 70 per cent completion. Both projects form part of the Federal Government’s efforts to expand railway transportation across Northern Nigeria.
The December 3 inauguration will cover the completed 190-kilometre Jaji-Kano section of the Kaduna-Kano railway. It will also include a 250-kilometre section of the Kano-Katsina-Maradi project, running through Dawanu, Kano, Kazaure, Daura and Katsina.
The Kaduna-Kano Standard Gauge Railway extends the existing Abuja-Kaduna rail line. When fully completed and operational, it will connect Abuja with Kaduna, Zaria and Kano through a continuous standard-gauge railway corridor.
The connection is expected to improve passenger transportation and make movement between major commercial centres in Northern Nigeria easier. It will also provide an alternative to road travel along the busy Abuja-Kaduna-Kano route.
The railway could support commercial activities by improving the movement of people and goods. Businesses, traders and other travellers along the corridor are among those expected to benefit from the expanded transport network.
A Federal Government inspection team recently assessed construction work on both railway projects. Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Funso Adebiyi, led the team on the directive of President Bola Tinubu.
The inspection covered railway alignment, drainage infrastructure, embankment protection, stone pitching and soil stabilisation. Officials also undertook a train test run from Jaji in Kaduna State to Kano to assess the completed tracks and passenger comfort.
Adebiyi expressed satisfaction with the construction quality and the progress recorded along the inspected sections.
However, outstanding land acquisition and compensation issues within Kaduna metropolis remain among the matters requiring attention. President Tinubu has directed the relevant authorities to resolve these issues to facilitate completion of the remaining railway connection between Abuja and Kano.
The Federal Government has also scheduled the inauguration of a completed section of the Kano-Katsina-Maradi railway for December 3. The wider project covers approximately 400 kilometres and is expected to strengthen transportation links between Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic.
The 250-kilometre section scheduled for inauguration passes through Dawanu, Kano, Kazaure, Daura and Katsina. The project has reached approximately 70 per cent completion.
When fully completed, the railway is expected to support cross-border trade, improve regional transportation and create better connections between communities along the route.
The Kaduna-Kano railway will strengthen the connection between two important commercial centres in Northern Nigeria. Its extension from the Abuja-Kaduna line will also create a longer rail corridor for passengers travelling between the Federal Capital Territory and Kano.
The project could reduce dependence on road transportation and provide another option for people travelling along the route. It may also improve the movement of agricultural produce, manufactured goods and other commercial products.
The Kano-Katsina-Maradi railway has a wider regional purpose. Its connection towards Niger Republic is expected to support trade and movement across the border.
Although the Federal Government has announced December 3 for the inauguration of the completed sections, the Kaduna-Kano project remains approximately 90 per cent complete. The remaining construction and land-related issues must still be addressed before the entire railway corridor can operate as planned.
