{
  "id": 4692480,
  "title": "FG targets December completion of Kaduna-Kano rail line",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/fg-targets-december-completion-of-kaduna-kano-rail-line",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-31T18:50:39.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch",
    "slug": "punch",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/fg-targets-december-completion-of-kaduna-kano-rail-line/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced that the Kaduna-Kano railway line will be completed and operational by December. This is part of the government's efforts to revive the country's rail transportation system and reduce the heavy burden on the nation's roads, which currently bear the brunt of 98% of Nigerians' travel needs.\n\nPermanent Secretary Funsho Adebiyi of the Ministry of Transportation explained during the 19th National Council on Transportation that heavy reliance on roads has led to excessive traffic and overloading on the road infrastructure. He noted that even air travelers still rely on roads to access airports, further increasing the pressure on the road network.\n\nTo alleviate this pressure, the government is shifting some of the transportation load to rail, particularly for freight transportation. Several railway routes, including Port Harcourt-Aba, Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna, and Warri-Itakpe, are already operational. The Kaduna-Zaria-Kano route is nearing completion and will be ready for operation by December.\n\nAdebiyi also mentioned that work is progressing on the Kano-Daura-Katsina route, with completion expected by December. Additionally, the Katsina-Jibia-Maradi route is anticipated to be ready by the same time next year, while the Kano-Dustse railway project will also be completed around the same period.\n\nRail freight services are already contributing to a reduction in the number of heavy-duty vehicles on major highways. For instance, container transport from Apapa Port to the Ibadan dry port by rail has removed dozens of trailers from the Lagos-Ibadan highway, reducing accidents and decongesting the road network.\n\nThe development of rail freight services is expected to help prolong the lifespan of roads, reduce accidents, and improve safety. By allowing containers to be moved closer to their destinations by rail, the distance covered by trucks will be significantly reduced, leading to less wear and tear on the road pavement.\n\nThe railway projects have also created thousands of employment opportunities, with about 4,000 staff recruited for the Kano-Maradi route and over 5,000 for the Kaduna-Kano project. This demonstrates the potential economic benefits and job creation opportunities that rail development can bring to the nation.",
  "summary": "The Federal Government has said the Kaduna-Zaria-Kano railway route will be completed and ready for operation by December as part of ongoing efforts to revive the country’s rail transportation system. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Funsho Adebiyi, disclosed this on Monday in Abuja during the 19th National Council on Transportation. Adebiyi said the Federal Read More:…",
  "key_points": [
    "Kaduna-Kano rail line to be completed by December",
    "Heavy reliance on roads causing traffic and infrastructure overload",
    "Government shifting transportation load to rail for freight"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch Nigeria",
        "title": "FG targets December completion of Kaduna-Kano rail line",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/31/fg-targets-december-completion-of-kaduna-kano-rail-line-4692848",
        "published": "2026-08-31T18:52:39.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}