₦airaland Forum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH_zXQEjA48?si=tLpugBlYiBWiBukE

Kaduna-Kano Rail 80-85% Complete, On Track for December

July 29, 2026

The Federal Government has reaffirmed December 2026 as the deadline for the completion and commissioning of the Kaduna–Kano and Kano–Daura sections of the Kano–Maradi Railway Development Project.

Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funsho Adebiyi, gave the assurance during an inspection by Debt Management Office officials led by DG Patience Oniha, noting the overall project is 70-75% complete, with the Kaduna–Zaria–Kano section at 80-85% and undergoing finishing works, having created over 4,500 jobs including 200 expatriates.

https://www.nta.ng/news/featured/kaduna-kano-rail-80-85-complete-on-track-for-december

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeE2stSNIZM?si=i7wFpeJNkco3oYGG

naptu2:
I'll explain this again.

1) Western Line: The Western Line was the first line that was built by the Colonial Government. The primary reason for building it was to transport raw materials and agricultural goods like Al-Hassan Dantata's groundnuts from Kano to the port in Lagos.

The line begins at the Lagos Terminus in Iddo (there's also a branch line to the Apapa Port) and goes through Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ilorin, Kaduna and terminates in Kano. It is a narrow gauge line.

The Western line began with the Lagos-Ibadan line which was built between 1891 and 1896, it reached Kano in 1912 and it was later extended to Nguru in 1930.


2) Eastern Line: The Eastern Line was primarily built to move coal from Enugu to the port at Port Harcourt. Port Harcourt was also built for the same reason (to serve as a port for the shipment of coal). Coal was shipped to Great Britain and to the power plant at Ijora in Lagos.

The Eastern Line was extended to Jos, to move tin from the tin mines there and it was also connected to the Western Line in Kaduna. The Government of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa extended the Eastern Line to Maiduguri. It is a narrow gauge line.

The Eastern Line began with the Port-Harcourt to Enugu Line that was built between 1913 and 1916. It was extended to Kaduna in 1927 and it was later extended to Maiduguri between 1958 and 1964.

3) Central Line: The Central Line was constructed by the government of General Ibrahim Babangida (construction began in 1987). It was built to convey iron from the iron mines at Itakpe to the steel mill at Ajaokuta and to convey the steel from Ajaokuta to Warri Port. It is a standard gauge line. The line was not completed.


There have been plans to build new standard gauge lines on the western and eastern axis, along the same corridor as the old narrow gauge lines.

The government of President Goodluck Jonathan began the Kaduna-Abuja rail line on the Western Axis. The government of President Muhammadu Buhari completed it and also built the Lagos-Ibadan line on the Western axis. The Government is currently building the Kano-Kaduna leg of the Western Line. When that is completed, all that will be left is the Ibadan-Ilorin and Ilorin-Abuja segments of the line.


The Government of Muhammadu Buhari also completed the Warri-Itakpe Line (the Central Line). There are plans to extend it to Abuja.

The Muhammadu Buhari Administration had declared that it would focus on completing existing projects, rather than starting new ones and so it focused on completing the Western and Central Lines. There is also a plan to build a standard gauge Eastern Line (Port-Harcourt to Maiduguri) but that has not commenced yet (which has caused annoyance among people of the North-East and South-East).


There is a proposal to build a coastal line, from Lagos to Calabar, but it hasn't been built yet. Critics complain that the colonialists were only interested in exploiting resources from Nigeria, rather than giving Nigerians good infrastructure and that's why they built rail lines from the hinterland in the north, to the ports in the south. For example, the critics point out that if you want to go from Lagos to Enugu by rail, you'd first have to go all the way up to Kaduna, before you can get to Enugu.

When I heard this criticism back in the 1980s, I often asked, "So why haven't we built it? The colonialists have been gone since 1960, so why haven't we built a rail line from east to west? We can't keep blaming them".

naptu2:
The Buhari Administration began the Kaduna - Kano leg of the Western Line and the Tinubu Administration will finish it.

President Tinubu has gone to China to finalise the deal for the construction of the Ibadan - Ilorin and Ilorin - Abuja legs of the line.

The idea to build the Eastern and Western standard gauge lines was conceived during the administration of President Obasanjo. Yar'Adua did not follow through, but Goodluck Jonathan continued it.

The Central Line was conceived during the administration of President Shehu Shagari. It was started by the Babangida Administration and finished by the Buhari Administration. However, the Buhari Administration proposed that it should be extended to Abuja.

I'll tell you about Lord Harcourt later.

naptu2:
The Eastern Line goes through places like Port Harcourt, Aba, Umuahia, Enugu, Makurdi, Jos, Bauchi and Maiduguri.

The Western Line goes through places like Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ilorin, Jebba, Minna, Kaduna and Kano.

The Central Line goes through Warri, Abraka, Agbor, Igbanke, Agenebode, Uromi, Ajaokuta and Itakpe.

In the first map below, the narrow gauge lines are in purple and the standard gauge lines are in red.

Kano-Maradi Rail Line

The Kano Maradi Rail Line was conceived by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
“On August 13, 2013 in Nigeria, the Vice President of Nigeria, Namadi Sambo, announced that Nigeria was to construct a line into the Republic of Niger. According to him, the new track would be an extension to the existing branch from Zaria to Kaura-Namoda, which is to be continued via Sokoto to Birnin Kebbi. In the longer term, he said that it would extend the line across the border to Niamey, capital of Niger.”

Niger Republic is a landlocked country and it needs access to the sea. A lot of its goods are transported via ports in Benin Republic and the Nigerian Government wants a share of this market, that's why it is backing the construction of this rail line. The idea is that goods will be moved from Niger Republic to Apapa Port.

However, no work was done on the ground during the Goodluck Jonathan era.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Kano - Maradi Railway was done in February 2021 by the Muhammadu Buhari Administration and work commenced immediately afterwards.

The line will have stations at Kazaure, Daura, Jibiya, Dutse, Dambatta, Mashi, Shagalle, Dawanau, Kunya, Durbe, Muduru, Daddara, and Maradi.

The Western and Central Standard Gauge Lines in Nigeria are dual track lines (two tracks side by side), but the Kano - Maradi Line is a single track line.

Photo 3) Kaduna - Kano rail line (dual track)

Photo 4) Kano - Maradi rail line (single track)

Previous thread:

Photos And Videos Of The Zawachiki Railway Station, Kano
https://www.nairaland.com/8702478/photos-videos-zawachiki-railway-station

With this, obedience will still ask what's Tinubu doing with subsidy savings.

They would have been happy if Tinubu also use his 4 years to cut grass around university and sweep aso Rock like the Lamba man of agulu

This is better than building schools hospital and roads

BANDITS DONE CASH OUT😃😃😃😃

Campaigning for the reelection of president Tinubu wont even required any struggling as the projects are spread across the country with references to them as they are just visible and glaring

I can't wait for Ibadan to be connected with Ilorin and Ilorin with Abuja

naptu2:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UH_zXQEjA48?si=tLpugBlYiBWiBukE



https://www.nta.ng/news/featured/kaduna-kano-rail-80-85-complete-on-track-for-december

Do you have an idea when the FG will start Constructing the line that will connect the Muritala international airport with Ikeja?

So we are collecting loans to build a rail line to carry goods to Niger republic. What am I missing here? How much is trade with Niger worth that we are collecting loans to build rail lines for?
The Jonathan led government did well to initiate this project. However, I maintain that Nigeria will best maximise this project by the construction of dry sea ports at strategic points along the route. I don't think the volume of trade with Niger is huge enough to cover Nigeria's expense.

State governors will be wise to open up dry sea ports along the route these trains will pass and also put money together to purchase powerful locomotives that can pull up too 200 railway cars at once. That will maximise returns on these investments.

The federal government can't force the governors to think along this line and I don't expect them to. Our state governors have been nothing but huge embarrassments.

SocialFinance:
With this, obedience will still ask what's Tinubu doing with subsidy savings.

They would have been happy if Tinubu also use his 4 years to cut grass around university and sweep aso Rock like the Lamba man of agulu

This is better than building schools hospital and roads

This project only needed 15% counterpart funding which Buhari fully paid during his tenure. Same as the Kano-Maradi rail. Legacy is achieved, not claimed. If anyone should take credit, it should be Buhari and then Rotimi Amaechi. Tinubu's own legacy will be the Kano metro rail and the Kaduna light rail which he just approved but not even a single grass have been cleared so far.

Dogalmighty17:
So we are collecting loans to build a rail line to carry goods to Niger republic. What am I missing here?

You are missing in comprehension go back to class.

AMINDA:
This project only needed 15% counterpart funding which Buhari fully paid during his tenure. Same as the Kano-Maradi rail. Legacy is achieved, not claimed. If anyone should take credit, it should be Buhari and then Rotimi Amaechi.

You people are seek in this country! Is governance not continuous? What if Tinubu abandon the whole project?

People been blaming Buhari for linking Nigeria with Niger.


Jonathan's regime was initiator of this wonderful plan.

SocialFinance:
With this, obedience will still ask what's Tinubu doing with subsidy savings.

They would have been happy if Tinubu also use his 4 years to cut grass around university and sweep aso Rock like the Lamba man of agulu

This is better than building schools hospital and roads

That is the wrong thing to ask.

Smart people are asking for the jobs promised by the master strategist.

Intellectual people are asking how many pictures of incomplete projects are needed to pay for goods and services in the absence of jobs to earn a living in dignity.

Are you smart enough to know

goslowgoslow:
You people are seek in this country! Is governance not continuous? What if Tinubu abandon the whole project?

He can't abandon a project Nigeria has already paid counterpart funding for.

Parachoko:
I can't wait for Ibadan to be connected with Ilorin and Ilorin with Abuja

I can’t wait for the master strategist to crash petrol below N185.

goslowgoslow:
You people are seek in this country! Is governance not continuous? What if Tinubu abandon the whole project?

The only way he can do so is to request for a refund in the counterpart funding and cancel the project. In doing so, he would have to pay back the exact amount already spent in excess of the counterpart funding with damages. Tinubu has not committed a penny towards the project. Legacy is achieved, not claimed.

Igbo man still being fed soaked slice bread despite contributing heavily to the flour mixing pan . . .


But he still fair better than those being spoon-fed with all the hot baked bread and other goodies.


No real progress where there is no equity.


If you know you know.

AMINDA:
The only way he can do so is to request for a refund in the counterpart funding and cancel the project. In doing so, he would have to pay back the exact amount already spent in excess of the counterpart funding with damages. Tinubu has not committed a penny towards the project. Legacy is achieved, not claimed.

And you think he cannot do that if he wants to? Or create some environment that will not make the project continuous? Just say thank you to everybody and move Tinubu is the man in power.
Tomorrow you people will blame Tinubu for bringing Buhari but here you are praising the same Buhari...Talk of double standards.

This rail line is pointless

So it was Jonathan who initiated the infamous link to Maradi?

Damn it!

Useless projects with no value to the economy. Where goes to niger republic for God's sake!!

naptu2:
Kano-Maradi Rail Line

The Kano Maradi Rail Line was conceived by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.
“On August 13, 2013 in Nigeria, the Vice President of Nigeria, Namadi Sambo, announced that Nigeria was to construct a line into the Republic of Niger. According to him, the new track would be an extension to the existing branch from Zaria to Kaura-Namoda, which is to be continued via Sokoto to Birnin Kebbi. In the longer term, he said that it would extend the line across the border to Niamey, capital of Niger.”

Niger Republic is a landlocked country and it needs access to the sea. A lot of its goods are transported via ports in Benin Republic and the Nigerian Government wants a share of this market, that's why it is backing the construction of this rail line. The idea is that goods will be moved from Niger Republic to Apapa Port.

However, no work was done on the ground during the Goodluck Jonathan era.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the Kano - Maradi Railway was done in February 2021 by the Muhammadu Buhari Administration and work commenced immediately afterwards.

The line will have stations at Kazaure, Daura, Jibiya, Dutse, Dambatta, Mashi, Shagalle, Dawanau, Kunya, Durbe, Muduru, Daddara, and Maradi.

The Western and Central Standard Gauge Lines in Nigeria are dual track lines (two tracks side by side), but the Kano - Maradi Line is a single track line.

Photo 3) Kaduna - Kano rail line (dual track)

Photo 4) Kano - Maradi rail line (single track)

Dogalmighty17:
So we are collecting loans to build a rail line to carry goods to Niger republic. What am I missing here? How much is trade with Niger worth that we are collecting loans to build rail lines for?
The Jonathan led government did well to initiate this project. However, I maintain that Nigeria will best maximise this project by the construction of dry sea ports at strategic points along the route. I don't think the volume of trade with Niger is huge enough to cover Nigeria's expense.

State governors will be wise to open up dry sea ports along the route these trains will pass and also put money together to purchase powerful locomotives that can pull up too 200 railway cars at once. That will maximise returns on these investments.

The federal government can't force the governors to think along this line and I don't expect them to. Our state governors have been nothing but huge embarrassments.

Won't thinking be a better thing to do than complaining?

Niger is a landlocked country, currently most of their importation comes through Benin republic,these goods are transported by road, a rail line from Nigeria to Niger means they will use our port, basic primary education should tell you that rail is the cheapest form of transportation.
They pay to use our ports and they pay to use our rail.
That way you partially control their economy. If you decide to increase duty on goods going to Niger, you can mess up their economy in a week. .Most of you claim to be educated but thinking is a big challenge for you guys....

Look at your map and tell me where you see Nigers shoreline.

In international politics having an entire country depend on you in one way or the other is a big plus.

I am sure people like you were busy fighting when the Suez cannnal was under construction

Dogalmighty17:
He can't abandon a project Nigeria has already paid counterpart funding for.

When Buharl did bad people like you will blame Tinubu as if he was the president now this is something good that Buharl started why not thank Tinubu for bringing him. Hypokrits!

AMINDA:
The only way he can do so is to request for a refund in the counterpart funding and cancel the project. In doing so, he would have to pay back the exact amount already spent in excess of the counterpart funding with damages. Tinubu has not committed a penny towards the project. Legacy is achieved, not claimed.

When Buharl did bad people like you will blame Tinubu as if he was the president now this is something good that Buharl started why not thank Tinubu for bringing him. Hypokrits!

goslowgoslow:
You people are seek in this country! Is governance not continuous? What if Tinubu abandon the whole project?

They prefer that,it will be one of the campaign points against Tinubu.

white elephant projects

Professor822714:
Useless projects with no value to the economy. Where goes to niger republic for God's sake!!

e be like e do am to please north but no move forward

Gerrard59:
So it was Jonathan who initiated the infamous link to Maradi?

Damn it!

See forest see railway track..... Bandit go just dey wait patiently dey wait mk them complete am....

something wey northerners go use their own hand vandalize