The federal government has said that the completion of the Kaduna–Kano–Maradi rail project will strengthen Kano’s position as the economic centre of Northern Nigeria.
Speaking during a tour organised by the Presidential Media Team to the North West, the Project Desk Officer at the Ministry of Transport, Engr. Abdullahi Adamu Yakubu, explained that Kano will serve as a major rail station for the movement of goods from Lagos and other parts of the country, helping to ease pressure on Nigeria’s road network.
He noted that the planned Kano station will function as an international transport hub with the capacity to handle about 1,000 passengers, and will connect Nigeria to Maradi in Niger Republic, expanding regional trade links.
According to him, the rail corridor will pass through key locations including Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Jigawa, Katsina, and extend to Maradi, creating a major transportation and economic network across the region.
Yakubu also disclosed that construction progress is advancing, with about 68 percent completion recorded on the 203-kilometre Kaduna–Kano segment and 63 percent completion on the 296-kilometre Kano–Maradi section.
He added that the rail project is expected to reduce road congestion, improve safety, create employment opportunities, and extend the lifespan of major highways by reducing heavy truck traffic.
In a related comment, the Kaduna State Commissioner for Information, Ahmed Maiyaki, described the project as a key economic driver that will strengthen trade and connectivity not only within Northern Nigeria but also with neighbouring Niger Republic.
He further explained that the Kano station will be linked to the Dala Dry Inland Port, allowing goods to be transported from Lagos directly to Kano for clearance, thereby improving logistics efficiency and reducing pressure on road infrastructure.
