KANO – In a move set to redefine urban mobility in Northern Nigeria, the Federal Government has officially approved a colossal ₦1 trillion metropolitan rail service project for Kano State.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf broke the news on Thursday during a reception for the state’s contingent returning from the 2025 National Qur’anic Recitation Competition in Borno. The Governor described the multi-billion naira investment as a “transformative milestone” that will modernize the state’s transportation landscape and ignite fresh economic activity.
In a statement released by his spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, Governor Yusuf emphasized that the rail network is designed to link the city’s key districts, providing a “modern, efficient, and affordable mass transit system” to save residents from the city’s notorious traffic gridlock.
“The project aims to provide a modern, efficient, and affordable mass transit system, connecting key districts and enhancing mobility for the residents,” the statement read.
A Dividend of Federal Alignment
Political analysts view the ₦1 trillion approval as a significant “win” for Governor Yusuf, who recently pivoted toward a more collaborative relationship with the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government. The Governor attributed the breakthrough to this strategic realignment, arguing that Kano’s development must transcend partisan divides.
The metropolitan rail project is expected to complement existing federal rail initiatives, including the nearly completed Kaduna-Kano track and the international Kano-Maradi link. By integrating these systems, Kano is positioned to become the premier logistics and transit hub for the entire Sahel region.
Economic Surge Predicted
Beyond easing the daily commute for millions, the project is anticipated to create thousands of jobs during the construction phase and stimulate the real estate and retail sectors along the rail corridors. Governor Yusuf has pledged full transparency in the execution of the project, vowing that his administration will work hand-in-hand with federal agencies to see the first trains roll out on schedule.
As the nation watches, the ₦1 trillion rail project stands as the most ambitious urban infrastructure undertaking in Kano’s modern history, promising to turn the “Centre of Commerce” into a city of the future.
Should the Kano State Government release the specific route map for the rail project to alert property owners and investors along the new corridors?
