The Federal Government has announced December 3, 2026, as the scheduled inauguration date for key sections of the Kaduna–Kano and Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway projects, as construction work continues on the major rail infrastructure across Northern Nigeria.
According to a statement by the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, the 203-kilometre Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Standard Gauge Railway has reached approximately 90 per cent completion, while the 400-kilometre Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway project is now 70 per cent complete.
The statement noted that both projects recorded significant progress since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in 2023. It disclosed that the Kano–Katsina–Maradi project was barely five per cent complete at the time, while the Kaduna–Kano railway had achieved less than 30 per cent completion.
The Kaduna–Kano railway, which extends the existing Abuja–Kaduna Standard Gauge Railway, is expected to establish a continuous rail connection linking Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria and Kano. When operational, it will provide an alternative means of transportation, improve passenger movement and facilitate commercial activities across some of Northern Nigeria’s major economic centres.
Similarly, the Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway is expected to strengthen regional connectivity and facilitate cross-border trade and transportation between Nigeria and the neighbouring Niger Republic.
As part of efforts to ensure timely delivery, a Federal Government inspection team led by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funso Adebiyi, recently assessed the progress of both projects on the President’s directive.
During the inspection, the team expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction, particularly the railway alignment, drainage infrastructure, embankment protection, stone pitching and soil stabilisation.
The inspection also featured a train test-run from Jaji in Kaduna State to Kano, providing officials with an opportunity to assess the completed track infrastructure and passenger comfort.
The statement further disclosed that President Tinubu had directed the immediate resolution of outstanding land acquisition and compensation issues within Kaduna metropolis to facilitate the completion of the remaining railway corridor connecting Abuja to Kano.
It added that the completed 190-kilometre Jaji–Kano section of the Kaduna–Kano project, alongside the 250-kilometre Dawanu–Kano–Kazaure–Daura–Katsina section of the Kano–Maradi project, is scheduled for inauguration on December 3, 2026.
The APC Presidential Campaign Council said the railway developments reflect the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding transportation infrastructure and ensuring that ongoing projects across the country are delivered according to schedule.
“In line with President Tinubu’s agenda, all ongoing infrastructure projects will be delivered in every part of the country as scheduled,” the statement stated.
The statement was signed by Dele Alake, Spokesperson of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, and dated November 8, 2026.