The Federal Government has announced plans to develop a high-speed railway connecting Lagos with Maiduguri, with trains expected to travel at speeds of up to 360 kilometres per hour.
Olufunso Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, disclosed this on Monday during the opening of the 19th National Council on Transportation in Abuja.
The four-day event, themed “Developing an Effective Transport System for Nigeria: The Role of Integrated Transportation,” focused on improving the country’s transport infrastructure.
Adebiyi said the proposed Lagos-Maiduguri high-speed rail is part of the government’s broader plan to reduce dependence on road transportation by expanding rail, maritime and air transport.
He described the railway sector as undergoing a “rebirth”, noting that several major corridors have already been completed and are currently operational.
Among the routes he listed are the Port Harcourt-Aba, Warri-Itakpe, Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna rail corridors.
He added that construction is ongoing on several other routes. According to him, the Kaduna-Zaria-Kano line is nearing completion and is expected to become operational by December, while work is progressing on the Kaduna-Daura-Katsina and Kano-Dutse lines.
The Katsina-Jibia-Maradi rail connection is also targeted for completion next year, he said.
The ministry is equally promoting rail freight as part of efforts to reduce the number of heavy-duty trucks using Nigerian highways.
Adebiyi said the expansion of dry ports would allow containers to be transported closer to their final destinations, helping to ease congestion, reduce road accidents and limit damage to highways.
FG APPROVES NATIONAL TRANSPORT DATABASE
The permanent secretary also revealed that the Federal Executive Council had approved the development of a smart national transport data bank.
The system, to be implemented under a design-build-finance-operate-and-transfer model, will provide a central database containing information on drivers, vehicles, number plates and transport operators across the country.
It will also introduce standardised passenger manifests at motor parks, capturing details such as the vehicle, driver, passengers and destination.
Adebiyi said the database would improve the authorities’ ability to identify passengers involved in road crashes and monitor traffic violations.
He explained that information from vehicle manifests and computerised number plates would make it easier for authorities to trace vehicles and their occupants when accidents or other incidents occur.
The government has also approved six standardised bus terminals as a pilot project.
The terminals are expected to include passenger waiting areas, information systems, police posts, vehicle inspection facilities, mechanic workshops, restaurants and restrooms.
Transport operators will be required to comply with safety and regulatory standards, with penalties for those who violate the requirements.
On maritime transportation, Adebiyi said reconstruction and automation of ports are ongoing to improve cargo handling, reduce congestion and lower transportation costs.
He added that investments in the sector are generating employment, with about 9,000 young people currently engaged across two major projects.
The Federal University of Transportation was also highlighted as part of the government’s efforts to develop specialised manpower for Nigeria’s transport industry.
Adebiyi said the long-term objective is to establish a more integrated system that allows people and goods to move efficiently across road, rail, air and waterways.
According to him, the reforms are expected to reduce logistics costs, improve safety, minimise environmental impact and increase productivity across the economy.
