By Baba Adamu Isa
The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, has highlighted Nigeria’s progress in railway development, citing the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking at the 2nd International Railway Conference, Alkali noted significant achievements, including the accelerated execution of the Kaduna-Kano and Kano-Maradi rail modernization projects.
The conference brought together railway experts, industry players, and stakeholders to share knowledge and experience on emerging trends, funding opportunities, and prospects of railway services as a catalyst for national development.
Alkali emphasized the importance of rail connectivity in driving economic growth, national unity, and environmental sustainability.
According to Alkali, the Renewed Hope Agenda has accorded special priority to transportation, recognizing its role as a gateway to the nation’s economy. The Minister highlighted several key achievements by the Ministry, including the facilitation of accelerated execution of rail modernization projects and the successful completion of rehabilitation of the Lagos-Kano Old Narrow Gauge for freight of goods.
The Minister also mentioned the recent Federal Executive Council approval for the construction of modern bus terminals in each geopolitical zone of the country. This development, he noted, would enhance efficiency, public safety, and welfare of passengers. Alkali emphasized that the railway is not just about cargo and revenue but also about national unity.
Railways, Alkali said, have always been more than a transport mode; they are nation-builders and engines of economic transformation. He cited examples from Europe, China, and Africa, where railways have played a crucial role in driving economic growth and regional integration. In Nigeria, he noted, the railway is the missing link in the economic architecture.
When industries are efficiently connected to ports and markets, Alkali emphasized, jobs are created, and production costs are cut. The Minister also highlighted the potential of railways to reduce post-harvest losses, lower food prices, and unleash industrial potentials. Railways, he said, give Nigerians confidence that the nation is connected, safe, and accessible.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) presents an enormous opportunity for Nigeria, Alkali noted. However, without efficient logistics, businesses cannot compete. The Kano-Maradi corridor, he said, is a gateway to West Africa’s markets, opening access for Nigerian goods into Niger Republic and beyond.
As Nigeria modernizes its railways, Alkali emphasized that the country is positioning itself as a logistics hub for West and Central Africa. Rail transport, he noted, is the greenest form of mass transport, reducing emissions, road damage, and accidents. In a world where climate commitments are shaping trade and investment, Nigeria’s ability to shift freight from road to rail will be a competitive advantage.
The Minister outlined three priorities for the coming years: making the railway an economic tool, securing sustainable financing, and empowering people through rail development. He emphasized the need for public-private partnerships, port-rail concessions, and land value capture around stations to drive railway development.
Alkali also highlighted the importance of empowering people through rail development, citing the Federal University of Transportation Daura and the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology Zaria as institutions that would prepare the next generation of railway professionals. He called for collaboration between government, private sector, and development partners to drive railway development.
The Minister noted that the railway development and services had been moved from the Exclusive list to the concurrent list through successful Constitutional Alteration, creating opportunities for states and private sector participation. This development, he said, would maximize the potentials of railway transport as an enabler of economic growth and connector of regional hopes.
Alkali envisioned a Nigeria where ports are seamlessly connected to factories by rail, highways are relieved of endless trucks, youth are employed building and running trains, and neighbors see Nigeria as the hub of African rail logistics. This, he said, is a future within Nigeria’s grasp if stakeholders work together.
The Minister urged delegates and the facilitating team to make the conference engaging and achieve the objectives of coming up with new railway operational techniques, funding options, and platforms for collaboration. He wished the delegates successful deliberations and a pleasant stay in Abuja.
Senator Alkali emphasized that the railway is the track of Nigeria’s future, linking the economy, uniting the people, and securing the country’s place in Africa and the world. With collective effort, he said, Nigeria can harness the full potential of its railway sector to drive economic growth and prosperity.
The 2nd International Railway Conference provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities in the railway sector, sharing knowledge and experience to drive progress in Nigeria’s railway development agenda.