Nigeria Reaffirms December 2026 Inauguration for Kano-Katsina Rail Project Amid Challenges

Nigeria's Federal Government has reiterated its firm commitment to completing and inaugurating the 284-kilometer Kano-Katsina railway project by December 2026. This assurance comes despite earlier challenges posed by insecurity, land disputes, and seasonal construction slowdowns.

During a joint inspection involving officials from the Ministry of Transportation, Ministry of Finance, lending institutions, and the project contractor, the current progress was reviewed. The project has achieved an 80 percent physical completion rate, with test runs already conducted on the completed track from Kazuare to Katsina.

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We have done a lot of work for just one per cent physical progress.

Mr. Funso Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, represented by Director Habibat Buhari, stated that the project remains on schedule. He acknowledged that the rainy season had slightly impacted construction but emphasized the significant work already accomplished. Materials for track laying have been stockpiled, and the government is focused on accelerating the remaining activities within the approved timeline.

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These will only cause delays, not stop the project. We have had similar cases in the past and they have been attended to.

Adebiyi identified insecurity in certain sections and disputes over land and canal areas as the primary obstacles affecting the construction pace. Security concerns have disrupted daily activities, and some communities have not yet agreed to land provisions under the Land Use Act. However, Adebiyi assured that these challenges would only cause temporary delays, not halt the project's completion.

The government is actively engaging with affected communities and stakeholders to resolve land-related disputes, enabling contractors to access the necessary sections. Officials expressed confidence in meeting the December inauguration target, with efforts underway to ensure the timely arrival of rolling stock. The focus remains on commissioning the project by the end of 2026, with no intention of deviating from this goal.

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Even if we don’t get all of it, at least we get the ones to commission by December. We are targeting the commissioning of the project by December, God’s willing, and there is no going back. So we are on course.