The Federal Government has announced plans to support light rail projects in Kaduna and Kano as part of its strategic move to improve public transportation and stimulate economic productivity across Nigeria’s northern region.
This development was revealed by the Minister of Transportation, Saidu Ahmed Alkali, during an infrastructure dialogue at the two-day interactive session hosted by the Sir Ahmadu Bello Foundation in Kaduna. The Ministry of Information and National Orientation confirmed the announcement in a statement released on its official X account on Wednesday.
According to the 9am News report, the projects will be coordinated through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and are expected to attract investment through public–private partnerships (PPP).
“The Federal Government has commenced plans to support light rail projects in key Northern States, starting with Kaduna and Kano,” the official statement noted, adding that MOFI will play a critical role in structuring funding and investment.
Rail Infrastructure and Housing: A Combined Growth Agenda
Minister Alkali also provided an update on the Federal Government’s ongoing railway modernisation efforts. He disclosed that the Kaduna–Kano standard gauge railway project has achieved 53% completion, while the Kano–Maradi rail line a key route linking Nigeria to Niger has reached 61% completion.
In addition, the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri rail corridor has seen 61 kilometres completed and operational, marking significant progress in the revival of Nigeria’s eastern rail network.
Alkali emphasised that these transport initiatives are part of a broader infrastructure strategy, which also includes housing development through the Renewed Hope Cities (RHC) programme a flagship project of the current administration.
According to him, 3,112 housing units have been delivered in Abuja under the scheme. Similarly, Kano has received 1,500 housing units along with an additional 500-unit estate, while smaller 250-unit estates have been completed in Sokoto, Gombe, Yobe, Katsina, Nasarawa, and Benue States.
Economic Impact and Job Creation
The Minister revealed that the housing projects are projected to create over 250,000 jobs nationwide, with each worker earning an average monthly income of N150,000. He added that the RHC initiative is designed to attract more than N70 billion in private investment, as well as stimulate the development of local building-material hubs.
This coordinated infrastructure development is part of President Bola Tinubu’s wider Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at improving living standards, increasing investment in northern Nigeria, and reducing regional infrastructure deficits.
With light rail, housing, and standard gauge projects in motion, the government appears set to transform urban mobility and economic engagement in Kaduna, Kano, and beyond.
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