The Federal Government of Nigeria headed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians of building a modern and inclusive transport sector for Africa’s most populous nation.
Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Sa’idu Alkali, gave the assurance on behalf of the government while speaking at the 2025 Nigeria Transport Sector Annual Summit in Lagos on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
The minister described current reforms as “critical to unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential and driving inclusive growth.”
The minister, who was represented at the Summit by the Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, noted that President Bola Tinubu’s leadership has provided clarity and consistency, ensuring that reforms translate into visible progress.
“The President has provided clear direction and commitment to making public transportation efficient, safe, integrated, and affordable. His administration’s policies are laying the foundation for a truly modern transport system,” he said.
The minister praised the pace of ongoing rail projects, particularly the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri line, where the Port Harcourt to Aba section has already been completed and put into use.
He disclosed that other corridors are also advancing rapidly, stating that the Kaduna–Kano line has now reached over 50 per cent completion, while the Kano–Maradi line has surpassed 60 per cent execution.
“Both projects were at only five to 15 per cent progress when Tinubu assumed office,” he noted. “At the pace we are going, the Kano–Maradi line will reach Katsina by December 2025 and be ready for full completion by March 2027,” he said.
Looking ahead, the minister announced plans for a High-Speed Rail Network that will connect Nigeria’s major cities—Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt.
According to him, the project will “redefine long-distance travel in Nigeria,” drastically cutting journey times and offering safer, more comfortable alternatives to road travel.
He added that modernising the rail system will also ease pressure on the nation’s highways, reduce logistics bottlenecks, and enhance interstate commerce.
In his speech at the Summit, the minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, said that the Federal Government was setting Nigeria on a clear path to affordable, safe, and integrated mobility.
Oyetola,, who was represented by the Director of Maritime Services at the Ministry, Dr Mercy Iloro, outlined major milestones and ongoing reforms designed to position Nigeria as a regional logistics hub.
The minister explained that the National Marine and Blue Economy Policy is central to the government’s strategy for reducing logistics costs, enhancing trade competitiveness, and unlocking private sector participation.
“Our goal is to lower the cost of doing business, improve cargo turnaround times, and create a more attractive environment for private capital. This positions Nigeria as a logistics hub for West and Central Africa,” the minister said.
According to the minister, the key initiatives under implementation, include: operationalisation of the Lagos–Ibadan Standard Gauge Rail line for cargo evacuation; expansion of barge services at Lagos and Onne ports; completion of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway; and commissioning of the 27km Lekki Port Access Road.
The minister stressed that the development of inland dry ports in Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano, and Funtua is aimed at decongesting Nigeria’s seaports while strengthening regional trade networks.
He underscored the importance of collaboration among shipping lines, terminal operators, freight forwarders, regulators, and investors.
Source:Africa Publicity
