Nigeria Plans 4,000km High-Speed Rail Network to Connect Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt
Nigeria has announced plans to construct a 4,000-kilometre high-speed rail network aimed at connecting key economic corridors, boosting trade, and promoting national integration.
The announcement followed a meeting in Abuja between the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and the management of De-Sadel Nigeria Limited along with its financial partner, China Liancai Petroleum Investment Holdings Limited.
The meeting formalized the $60 billion proof-of-funds presentation for the project.
Senator Akume described the discussions as “highly encouraging” and confirmed that the proof-of-funds for the initial phase would undergo standard verification processes in line with government procedures.
Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Alkali, emphasized that the project aligns with his department’s mandate to provide safe, efficient, and affordable transport services, while advancing President Bola Tinubu’s vision of attracting foreign investment into critical infrastructure.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, assured investors that the government would supply adequate gas to power the rail system, highlighting Nigeria’s proven reserves of 210 trillion cubic feet of gas, plus an additional 600 trillion cubic feet in deep offshore deposits.
De-Sadel Nigeria CEO, Samuel Uko, said the project would be executed in phases, with the first phase spanning 1,700 km and connecting Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt.
Completed sections will be opened to the public ahead of the 36-month projected completion period.
Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Jobson Ewalefoh, noted that submitting proof-of-funds is a statutory requirement for projects of this magnitude.
He assured investors that the commission would conduct a thorough review and validation to confirm both the financial and technical viability of the proposal.
