The Federal Government has announced plans to construct a 360km/h high-speed rail line connecting Lagos to Maiduguri, marking a major leap in its ambition to overhaul the nation’s transport infrastructure and drastically cut travel times across key regions.
Olufunso Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Transportation, unveiled the proposed high-speed corridor on Monday at the 19th National Council on Transportation in Abuja. Speaking at the four-day event themed Developing an Effective Transport System for Nigeria: The Role of Integrated Transportation, Adebiyi outlined a sweeping modern agenda designed to reduce Nigeria’s heavy dependence on road networks by building a fully integrated ecosystem spanning rail, maritime, and air travel.
Light rail networks have already received approval for Lagos and Kano, with plans to extend similar urban rail systems to additional state capitals. Adebiyi noted that the country’s railway sector is undergoing an operational rebirth, supported by active corridors such as Port Harcourt–Aba, Warri–Itakpe, Lagos–Ibadan, and Abuja–Kaduna. Intercity expansions are moving quickly: the Kaduna–Zaria–Kano line is expected to open by December, progress continues on the Kaduna–Daura–Katsina stretch, the Katsina–Jibia–Maradi link targets completion next year, and work remains ongoing along the Kano–Dutse route.
Beyond passenger travel, the ministry is aggressively pushing rail freight and expanding inland dry ports to shift heavy cargo off highways, aiming to lower road maintenance costs, curb traffic congestion, and mitigate fatal accidents.
To modernise transport management, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved a smart national transport data bank under a Design-Build-Finance-Operate-and-Transfer model. The platform will centralise records for drivers, vehicles, licence plates, and commercial operators, while introducing standardised digital manifests at motor parks. Adebiyi explained that this centralised database will allow authorities to swiftly identify passengers in the event of crashes and automatically track traffic violations. Additionally, the FEC approved six standardised pilot bus terminals equipped with passenger information systems, police posts, inspection bays, mechanic workshops, and security monitoring.
In the maritime domain, automation and port reconstruction projects are underway to accelerate cargo handling and lower logistics expenses. Adebiyi emphasised that the sector’s expansion is already driving economic growth, directly employing approximately 9,000 youths across two major infrastructure projects.
Coupled with specialised training from the newly established Federal University of Transportation, the administration aims to create a seamless, low-cost, and environmentally sustainable network for people and goods nationwide.
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