Kaduna-Kano Rail Line to Commence Operations December 3 – APC Campaign Council

The Kaduna-Kano Standard Gauge Railway is expected to commence operations on December 3, 2026, as the Federal Government intensifies efforts to complete major rail infrastructure projects across Northern Nigeria.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by its spokesperson, Dele Alake.

The 203-kilometre Kaduna-Zaria-Kano railway project is reportedly about 90 per cent complete, while the 400-kilometre Kano-Katsina-Maradi railway project has reached 70 per cent completion.

Alake said the Kano-Katsina-Maradi project was only five per cent complete when President Bola Tinubu assumed office in 2023, while the Kaduna-Kano railway was below 30 per cent completion.

He attributed the progress recorded on both projects to the Tinubu administration’s commitment to expanding railway infrastructure, improving regional connectivity and facilitating the transportation of passengers and goods.

The Kaduna-Kano rail line, which extends the Abuja-Kaduna Standard Gauge Railway, is expected to establish a continuous rail connection between Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria and Kano, thereby linking major commercial centres in the North.

According to the statement, a Federal Government inspection team led by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Funso Adebiyi, recently inspected the two projects on the directive of President Tinubu.

The team reportedly expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction, particularly the railway alignment, drainage systems, embankment protection, stone pitching and soil stabilisation.

The inspection also featured a train test run from Jaji in Kaduna State to Kano to assess the completed track infrastructure and passenger comfort.

The planned commencement of operations is expected to strengthen transportation links across the region, improve the movement of goods and passengers and support commercial activities along the railway corridor.