FG Reaffirms December 2026 Completion Date for Kano-Katsina Railway Project

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing and commissioning the 284-kilometre Kano-Katsina railway project by December 2026, despite challenges posed by insecurity, land disputes and seasonal construction slowdowns.

The assurance was given on Thursday during a joint inspection of the project by officials from the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Federal Ministry of Finance, representatives of lending institutions and the project contractor, Mota-Engil Nigeria.

As part of the inspection, officials conducted a test run on the completed section of the railway line from Kazaure in Jigawa State to Daura in Katsina State, providing stakeholders with an opportunity to assess the progress made on the strategic rail corridor.

Speaking after the inspection, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funso Adebiyi, said the project remained on track and had achieved about 80 per cent physical completion. Represented by the Director of Rail Transport Services, Engr. Habibat Buhari, Adebiyi acknowledged that the rainy season had slowed construction activities in some areas but stressed that substantial progress had already been made.

He explained that materials needed for the remaining track-laying works had already been stockpiled at the project camp, positioning contractors to accelerate work once conditions become more favourable. According to him, the project had reached a stage where major construction activities could proceed more rapidly.

Adebiyi identified insecurity along parts of the corridor and disputes relating to land and canal areas as the major challenges affecting the pace of construction. He noted that security concerns had disrupted operations in some locations, while disagreements over land acquisition and provisions of the Land Use Act had delayed access to certain sections of the route.

Despite these setbacks, he expressed confidence that the issues would not prevent the project from being completed within the approved timeline. He said the government was intensifying engagement with affected communities and stakeholders to resolve the disputes and ensure contractors could continue work unhindered.

The permanent secretary also reaffirmed the government's determination to meet the December 2026 commissioning target, adding that efforts were underway to ensure the required rolling stock arrived in time for the inauguration.

“We are targeting the commissioning of the project by December, God willing, and there is no going back. We are on course,” he said.

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Also speaking during the inspection, the Director in the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Muhammadu Kamal, said the Federal Government had continued to meet its financial obligations under the project agreement. He disclosed that the government had already released its 15 per cent counterpart funding contribution, while the remaining 85 per cent was being financed through external loan facilities.

Kamal noted that the level of work already completed reflected the government's commitment to ensuring the successful delivery of the railway project.

The Senior Country Officer and representative of the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), Siya Biniza, revealed that the bank had invested about 250 million dollars in the project. He described the railway as a strategic infrastructure investment capable of boosting economic activities, improving regional connectivity and enhancing trade opportunities across northern Nigeria and neighbouring countries.

According to him, the inspection showed that substantial financial resources had already been committed to the project and that visible progress had been made on the ground.

Meanwhile, Mota-Engil Nigeria, the contractor handling the project, reiterated its commitment to delivering the Kano-Katsina section by December 2026. Speaking on behalf of the company, Chief Financial Officer Vladislav Bystrenko said the project had reached approximately 80 per cent completion.

He stated that while the Kano-Katsina segment was expected to be completed by December 2026, the extension from Katsina to Maradi in the Republic of Niger was projected for completion by the end of 2027.

The Kano-Katsina-Maradi railway project is one of the Federal Government’s flagship transportation initiatives designed to improve the movement of passengers and goods, strengthen regional trade links and promote economic integration between Nigeria and Niger Republic. With construction now at an advanced stage, government officials and project partners remain optimistic that the railway will be delivered within schedule and begin contributing to economic growth and connectivity across the region.