Nigeria-Niger Rail Link to Be Ready in 2026, Says Tinubu
Byline: IDNN Infrastructure Bureau
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that the long-awaited Kano–Maradi Standard Gauge Railway will be completed by 2026. The 284-kilometre rail line, spanning Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, and Maradi in Niger Republic, was designed to strengthen regional commerce and decongest Nigeria’s overburdened road networks.
Speaking during the inauguration of the Katsina Agricultural Mechanisation Centre and Eastern Bypass, Tinubu reaffirmed that the project was back on track after resolving “technical and bureaucratic challenges.”
Buhari’s Legacy, Tinubu’s Execution
The rail line, initiated under former President Muhammadu Buhari, received $1.96 billion approval from the Federal Executive Council in September 2020. Though shrouded in early controversy over Nigeria funding a cross-border railway, the project has endured.
By linking Nigeria’s commercial nerve center in Kano to Maradi—a key trade node in southern Niger—the Tinubu administration is positioning itself to harvest regional trade advantages while continuing Buhari’s infrastructure legacy.
Logistics Lifeline for the North
Experts say the rail will offer northern Nigeria a logistics revolution, slashing the cost of transporting bulk goods, boosting agricultural exports, and expanding regional connectivity. With insecurity ravaging key roads in the north, rail offers a safer, more efficient alternative.
“The Kano–Maradi rail is not just a railway—it’s an economic artery for northern Nigeria,” says logistics consultant Musa Gidado.
Tinubu Unveils More Roads, Airport Projects
The President also announced the full rehabilitation of key roads:
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Martabar Kankara–Dutsinma–Katsina
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Zaria–Hunkuyi–Dabai
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Kafur–Malumfashi–Dayi–Gidan Mutum Daya
He added that the second phase of the Katsina–Kano expressway was “firmly back on course” following the resolution of previous project delays.
In addition, a plan to upgrade Katsina Airport is underway, with the projected creation of 2,700 direct jobs and a ₦54 billion price tag.
“The North Won’t Be Left Behind”—Tinubu
Tinubu closed his address with a promise that his administration will not neglect the northern region.
“To the people of Katsina and the North, I assure you—there are enough projects and programs coming. Stay the course,” he said.
