Uba Sani, Transport Minister move to fast-track Kaduna light rail project

From: Femi Oyelola in Kaduna

Kaduna State is inching closer to realising its dream of a modern intra-city rail system, as Governor Uba Sani on Wednesday met with the Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, in Abuja to fine-tune plans for the takeoff of the Kaduna Light Rail Project.

The high-level meeting, at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, came on the heels of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent disclosure that the Kaduna Light Rail has been duly captured in the federal budget, signaling a major federal push for the ambitious project.

The President had, during his one-day official visit to Kaduna state, disclosed that the Federal Government has voted N100 billion for the Kaduna Light Rail Project in the 2025 budget, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to modern mass transit.

Sani described the light rail as a game changer that would not only ease mobility for millions of residents but also stimulate commerce, create jobs, and enhance rural-urban integration across Kaduna State.

“This is a transformative initiative by our administration. Once completed, it will position Kaduna as a foremost transportation hub in Nigeria,” he told the Minister.

The Governor said the project would open up new economic corridors, reduce travel time, and support the state’s growing population by providing safe, reliable, and affordable mass transit.

Responding, Alkali hailed Governor Sani for what he called his “people-centred governance approach,” stressing that the Federal Ministry of Transportation was fully on board to partner with Kaduna State to ensure the timely execution of the project.

“This is in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises modern infrastructure and inclusive development. The Federal Government is committed to seeing this through,” the Minister assured.

The Kaduna light rail is among key transport infrastructure projects listed in the 2025 federal budget, following President Tinubu’s repeated pledges to support sub-national governments in rolling out critical infrastructure that can drive economic diversification.