Govt Okays $2.99bn Rail Projects To Ease Urban Congestion

The federal government has approved three major rail infrastructure projects worth $2.99 billion to decongest urban centres and improve mobility across key cities in the country.

The approval was granted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) yesterday at its meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.

Briefing State House Correspondents after the meeting, the minister of Finance and coordinating minister of the Economy, Prof. Taiwo Oyedele, said the projects are designed to address transportation challenges in major urban hubs while boosting economic activities.

According to him, the projects include the Lagos Green Line Rail, the Kano State Metro Rail, and the Kaduna State Rail project.

“The Federal Executive Council approved three transformative rail projects, and these are the Lagos Green Line, Kano State Metro city rail project, and the Kaduna State Rail project,” Oyedele said.

He explained that the projects have already been captured in the extended 2025 budget, noting that they form a critical component of the government’s infrastructure investment framework.

Oyedele further disclosed that the projects would be sponsored by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated, underscoring the government’s commitment to financing large-scale infrastructure development.

He said the approvals align with the administration’s broader strategy to prioritise rail transport as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to road transportation.

The Minister added that the Lagos Green Line is expected to complement existing rail initiatives in the commercial hub. In contrast, the Kano and Kaduna rail projects are aimed at enhancing passenger and freight movement in northern Nigeria.

He noted that the projects would not only ease traffic congestion but also stimulate regional economic growth by improving connectivity across key corridors.