₦airaland Forum

Kushites:
Can someone tell me why a state governor cannot build even a 10 km railway line in his capital to convey passengers?

What is so hard about building the track with direct labour and buying a couple of trains, even refurbished ones, from wherever, to run a service, no matter how small, and then expand slowly?

What exactly stops them from doing this?

Why is it that whenever this rail issue comes up, the talk is of China coming here to build everything from scratch?

What is our problem?

DeLaRue:
What is the obsession with railways.

Railways will not magically make Nigeria more prosperous than other means of transport.

India has one of the largest railway network in the world, yet it is still one of the poorest countries.

While intra city rail in some of Nigeria's largest city will help, only a rail line linking Lagos with Abuja, Kano, and Kaduna will make sense at this point, but there is even no guarantee it would be viable.

Most of the busiest inter state highways in Nigeria are not even up to 40% full, so why are some people obsessed with building railways that will be permanently unprofitable.

DeLaRue:
What is the obsession with railways.

Railways will not magically make Nigeria more prosperous than other means of transport.

India has one of the largest railway network in the world, yet it is still one of the poorest countries.

While intra city rail in some of Nigeria's largest city will help, only a rail line linking Lagos with Abuja, Kano, and Kaduna will make sense at this point, but there is even no guarantee it would be viable.

Most of the busiest inter state highways in Nigeria are not even up to 40% full, so why are some people obsessed with building railways that will be permanently unprofitable.

ednut1:
the steel needed for railway is not produced in Nigeria and has to be imported .Ajaokuta doesn’t work.

The British built the railways before Nigerians ran it aground. So we have no recent experience building railway like the Chinese.

Railway is mass transit, how many states asides lagos, kano, kaduna, or ph can you get enough traffic for a 10km rail.

Nigeria also has no capacity to build the actual trains or cargoes.

🥱🥱🥱

ednut1:
the steel needed for railway is not produced in Nigeria and has to be imported .Ajaokuta doesn’t work.

The British built the railways before Nigerians ran it aground. So we have no recent experience building railway like the Chinese.

Railway is mass transit, how many states asides lagos, kano, kaduna, or ph can you get enough traffic for a 10km rail.

Nigeria also has no capacity to build the actual trains or cargoes.

🥱🥱🥱

DeLaRue:
What is the obsession with railways.

Railways will not magically make Nigeria more prosperous than other means of transport.

India has one of the largest railway network in the world, yet it is still one of the poorest countries.

While intra city rail in some of Nigeria's largest city will help, only a rail line linking Lagos with Abuja, Kano, and Kaduna will make sense at this point, but there is even no guarantee it would be viable.

Most of the busiest inter state highways in Nigeria are not even up to 40% full, so why are some people obsessed with building railways that will be permanently unprofitable.

ednut1:
the steel needed for railway is not produced in Nigeria and has to be imported .Ajaokuta doesn’t work.

The British built the railways before Nigerians ran it aground. So we have no recent experience building railway like the Chinese.

Railway is mass transit, how many states asides lagos, kano, kaduna, or ph can you get enough traffic for a 10km rail.

Nigeria also has no capacity to build the actual trains or cargoes.

🥱🥱🥱

Kushites:
Can someone tell me why a state governor cannot build even a 10 km railway line in his capital to convey passengers?

What is so hard about building the track with direct labour and buying a couple of trains, even refurbished ones, from wherever, to run a service, no matter how small, and then expand slowly?

What exactly stops them from doing this?

Why is it that whenever this rail issue comes up, the talk is of China coming here to build everything from scratch?

What is our problem?

Kushites:
Delta Steel Company (Now Privately Operated as Premium Steel and Mines Ltd), is located in Aladja, Delta State, and produces billets and reinforcement bars — not high-grade rail steel yet, but the plant could be upgraded for it. The plant currently feeds Nigeria’s construction sector (bridges, high-rises, etc.).

With investment, it could supply steel sleepers and track fittings for trains domestically.

Nigeria has over 20 functional private steel rolling mills, including:

African Foundries (Lagos, Ogun)

Dana Steel

Phoenix Steel Mills

Kam Industries (Ilorin)

Universal Steel (Ikeja)

These mills mainly produce rebar, wire rods, and structural sections — but with technology upgrades, they could help manufacture components like rail fasteners, clips, and plates locally, according to experts.

ALSO, Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda promises to get AJAOKUTA working, so it's not over till it's over.

Gerrard59:
Our problems plenty o. Person no even know where to start from.

I don't envy Tinubu.

ednut1:
the steel needed for railway is not produced in Nigeria and has to be imported .Ajaokuta doesn’t work.

The British built the railways before Nigerians ran it aground. So we have no recent experience building railway like the Chinese.

Railway is mass transit, how many states asides lagos, kano, kaduna, or ph can you get enough traffic for a 10km rail.

Nigeria also has no capacity to build the actual trains or cargoes.

🥱🥱🥱

anonimi:
Ratio of public to private schools in Lagos State is one to 22 ― Commissioner
September 4, 2022

The Lagos State government has said the ratio of public to private schools at both primary and secondary school levels in the state is one to 22.

The state’s Commissioner for Education, Mrs Folasade Adefisayo, gave the revelation in her remark at the 2022 edition of the Total School Support Seminar Exhibition (TOSSE) held at Oregun in Ikeja between Thursday and Friday.

https://tribuneonlineng.com/ratio-of-public-to-private-schools-in-lagos-state-is-one-to-22-%E2%80%95-commissioner/

mrvitalis:
They don't have the money

2) if the borrow they need to change very high and Nigeria don't have population of people that can afford to pay that to make the loan viable

No rail system in Nigeria is viable none absolutely none

The only viable rail line in nigeria is
1) Lagos to Abuja
2) Lagos to East

Those are the only rail line you can charge 50,000 per seats and yet it would be filled 6 times a day

ayoncox:
International Politics, Economics and Monetary bodies has made that impossible since 1900s, they introduced Debt Financing as the standard

Kushites:
You're WRONG.

India by the way has lifted over 400 million people out of poverty in the last 20 years, and the railway sector contributed hugely to that.

I asked AI the benefits of Nigeria building a robust railway network nationwide:


..........

Developing a robust rail system in Nigeria would have transformative advantages — economically, socially, and environmentally. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of the key benefits:

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1. Economic Growth and Industrial Expansion

A strong rail network would massively boost Nigeria’s economy by:

Reducing transportation costs: Railways can move bulk goods (cement, grains, steel, crude oil, containers) at one-third the cost of road transport.

Improving trade competitiveness: Lower logistics costs make Nigerian goods more competitive regionally and internationally.

Stimulating industries: The steel, cement, and construction sectors would benefit from rail infrastructure projects, creating local jobs and demand for materials.

Attracting investment: A reliable logistics backbone attracts domestic and foreign investors who depend on efficient supply chains.


Example: Countries like India and China used rail systems to unlock industrial growth across their vast territories — Nigeria could do the same for West Africa.

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2. Agricultural Revolution

Railways would bridge the gap between Nigeria’s rural farmlands and urban markets:

Farm-to-market connectivity: Farmers could transport perishable goods quickly and cheaply, reducing post-harvest losses (currently up to 40%).

Rural development: Rail access encourages agribusiness investment in previously unreachable regions.

Food security: Efficient distribution of food would stabilize prices nationwide.

Imagine: Tomatoes from Kano, rice from Kebbi, and yams from Benue reaching Lagos in a day instead of spoiling on the road.

---

3. Urban Decongestion and Better Mobility

Nigeria’s big cities — especially Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt — face crippling traffic. A rail system would:

Reduce road congestion: Each train can replace hundreds of cars and trucks.

Support mass transit: Intra-city light rail can move millions daily, easing pressure on roads.

Boost productivity: Less time in traffic means more hours for work, innovation, and rest.

Lagos–Ibadan rail already shows how intercity trains can reduce road chaos and travel time.

---

4. Job Creation and Skills Development

Rail expansion would create hundreds of thousands of jobs directly and indirectly:

* Construction workers, engineers, welders, surveyors, and station operators.
* Long-term employment in maintenance, manufacturing, and logistics.
* Technical training programs could upskill Nigerian youth in mechanical, electrical, and digital railway technologies.

It could also position Nigeria as a rail technology hub for West Africa.

---

5. Environmental and Energy Efficiency

Rail is one of the most sustainable transport systems:

Lower emissions: Trains emit 70–90% less CO₂ per ton-kilometer than trucks.

Reduced road damage: Heavy trucks destroy highways; rail preserves them.

Cleaner future: Electrified railways powered by Nigeria’s solar potential could make transport nearly carbon-neutral.

---

6. Regional Integration and Trade (AfCFTA Advantage)

A modern Nigerian rail system would connect with West African corridors under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA):

Boosts regional exports: Easier movement of goods to Ghana, Benin, Niger, and Chad.

Strengthens Nigeria’s dominance: As West Africa’s biggest economy, Nigeria could become the region’s logistics and manufacturing hub.

Encourages cross-border collaboration: Rail links promote tourism, trade, and cultural exchange.

---

7. National Unity and Security

Rail systems naturally tie regions together:

Connects all six geopolitical zones, fostering national cohesion and balanced development.

Enhances security: Rail reduces highway banditry risks by offering safer alternatives for people and goods.

Rapid troop and emergency movement: The military and relief agencies could respond faster in crises.

---

8. Boosting Tourism and Cultural Exchange

Tourism flourishes when transportation is easy and scenic:

* Heritage and nature routes could attract both local and international tourists.
* Cross-country train journeys can showcase Nigeria’s landscapes, food, and culture — from Lagos beaches to Jos Plateau and the ancient walls of Kano.

---

9. Digital and Smart Infrastructure Synergy

A modern rail network can integrate AI, IoT, and smart ticketing systems , enabling:

* Real-time scheduling and tracking.
* Seamless e-payment systems.
* Predictive maintenance to prevent breakdowns.

This aligns with Nigeria’s digital economy vision and smart city goals.

---

10. Long-Term Cost Savings

While initial rail investment is heavy, the long-term returns are huge:

* Lower road maintenance costs.
* More efficient movement of people and resources.
* Increased GDP through trade efficiency.

In essence, railways are a nation-building investment, not just infrastructure.
---

In short:

A robust rail system would not just move Nigeria — it would transform Nigeria.
It would connect farms to cities, industries to ports, and people to opportunities.
It would help Nigeria reclaim its position as Africa’s economic locomotive — literally and symbolically.

---

AI

ayoncox:
International Politics, Economics and Monetary bodies has made that impossible since 1900s, they introduced Debt Financing as the standard

ednut1:
the steel needed for railway is not produced in Nigeria and has to be imported .Ajaokuta doesn’t work.

The British built the railways before Nigerians ran it aground. So we have no recent experience building railway like the Chinese.

Railway is mass transit, how many states asides lagos, kano, kaduna, or ph can you get enough traffic for a 10km rail.

Nigeria also has no capacity to build the actual trains or cargoes.

🥱🥱🥱

Kushites:
Can someone tell me why a state governor cannot build even a 10 km railway line in his capital to convey passengers?

What is so hard about building the track with direct labour and buying a couple of trains, even refurbished ones, from wherever, to run a service, no matter how small, and then expand slowly?

What exactly stops them from doing this?

Why is it that whenever this rail issue comes up, the talk is of China coming here to build everything from scratch?

What is our problem?

Kushites:
Delta Steel Company (Now Privately Operated as Premium Steel and Mines Ltd), is located in Aladja, Delta State, and produces billets and reinforcement bars — not high-grade rail steel yet, but the plant could be upgraded for it. The plant currently feeds Nigeria’s construction sector (bridges, high-rises, etc.).

With investment, it could supply steel sleepers and track fittings for trains domestically.

Nigeria has over 20 functional private steel rolling mills, including:

African Foundries (Lagos, Ogun)

Dana Steel

Phoenix Steel Mills

Kam Industries (Ilorin)

Universal Steel (Ikeja)

These mills mainly produce rebar, wire rods, and structural sections — but with technology upgrades, they could help manufacture[/b{ components like rail fasteners, clips, and plates locally, according to experts.

ALSO, Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda [b]promises to get AJAOKUTA working, so it's not over till it's over.

McLizbae:
The question is: is it easier to audit money spent on the rail systems? If the answer is yes, then that is the basic reason they won't do it. Nigerian leaders mostly go for projects that can easy help them steal public funds.

BATified2023:
that's a lie

It's because our leaders are thieves, they can all have a joint governor forum on state development which will include railway.


They will design it in a way that each state will b linked to each other via rail, if they can do it with road then they can do it with rail too.

That's how it's done in UK, u can board train from London to Birmingham to nothingham to Sheffield to Manchester n they are all linked together for ease of transportation

Cromagnon:


What of the remaining 800 million



We have no bulk goods to transport




Railways cannot stimulate any construction sector we need electricity first need to produce before you can transport




Lies they already had industry before railways




Agriculture alone cannot cover the cost of railways

Cromagnon:

But there's money for useless airports





Shebi you said East is not viable

mrvitalis:
They don't have the money
2) if the borrow they need to change very high and Nigeria don't have population of people that can afford to pay that to make the loan viable

No rail system in Nigeria is viable none absolutely none

The only viable rail line in nigeria is
1) Lagos to Abuja
2) Lagos to East

Those are the only rail line you can charge 50,000 per seats and yet it would be filled 6 times a day

ednut1:
you dont envy him as how. Did he tell you he came to fix Nigeria? Someone that awarded coastal road to his business partner Chagoury without due process the cost of 15 trillion

BATified2023:
that's a lie

It's because our leaders are thieves, they can all have a joint governor forum on state development which will include railway.


They will design it in a way that each state will b linked to each other via rail, if they can do it with road then they can do it with rail too.

That's how it's done in UK, u can board train from London to Birmingham to nothingham to Sheffield to Manchester n they are all linked together for ease of transportation

Cromagnon:
must you follow the standard when people are buying range Rover do they follow the standard

ayoncox:
You try that as a nation, you go suffer well well, them go sanction you

mrvitalis:
Lagos to east is not within East