Abuja: The Federal Government has announced that Nigeria is experiencing a significant transformation in its rail transport sector as the 284-kilometre Kano-Maradi Standard Gauge and Kaduna-Kano Rail Projects approach completion. The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Said Alkali, made this statement during the Nigeria Transport and Logistics Leadership Summit and Awards 2025 held in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the summit, organized by the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), focused on the theme, ‘Building Sustainable Transport and Logistics Infrastructure in Nigeria: Current Trends and Future Insights’. Alkali revealed that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved a $3 billion investment for the completion of the eastern rail project, aimed at bolstering the national economy.
The minister emphasized the importance of upgrading the national pipeline transport network to ensure efficient oil and gas transport under the rail modernization projects. This initiative is expected to enhance energy security, decrease reliance on road-based haulage, and promote environmental sustainability by reducing emissions from heavy-duty trucks.
Rail transportation in Nigeria is undergoing a transformation through innovation, Alkali noted, highlighting the successful test flight of drones developed by NITT engineers as a significant achievement. He reiterated President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to revolutionizing Nigeria’s transport and logistics sector through strategic investments, policy reforms, and stakeholder collaboration.
Alkali urged stakeholders to collaborate with the government to enhance infrastructure and expedite progress. He mentioned the importance of embracing indigenous technology, such as drone systems for logistics and emission monitoring, intelligent transport systems, and blockchain-enabled supply chains. He stressed that building smart, inclusive, and sustainable infrastructure requires partnerships between the public and private sectors and between traditional industries and emerging technology hubs.
Earlier, NITT Director-General Dr. Bayero Farah stated that the summit served as a crucial platform for stakeholders, policymakers, researchers, investors, operators, and thought leaders in the transport and logistics sector to come together and discuss the way forward.