Jun 12, 2026

Kaduna Light Rail Project Set for Groundbreaking as FG Delegation Visits

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in news

👁️ loading views...

Kaduna, Kaduna State - Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State on Thursday rolled out the red carpet for a high-powered federal delegation, marking another concrete step toward turning the long-awaited Kaduna Light Rail Project from vision into reality.

Led by Engr. Olufunso Adebiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transport, the team — which included officials from the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and the project contractor, Mota-Engil — held strategic talks with the state government before embarking on a reconnaissance tour of the project corridor.

The visit underscored growing momentum behind the 50-kilometre metropolitan light rail network, a transformative initiative backed by the N1 trillion funding approval secured from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Governor Sani described the engagement as “vital” for aligning efforts and deepening collaboration, expressing particular appreciation for the President’s “visionary leadership” and swift directive that got contractors moving on the ground.

With the groundbreaking ceremony now expected within the next month, Kaduna has been positioned as the pilot state for this landmark urban rail system — a development that promises to reshape daily mobility across one of Northern Nigeria’s most important commercial and administrative hubs.

For ordinary citizens navigating the city’s bustling roads, the light rail offers more than just modern infrastructure.

It represents faster, more reliable journeys between key districts, reduced pressure on already strained road networks, and new economic opportunities both during construction and once operational.

Analysts note that such a system could stimulate investment, ease congestion in the metropolis, and create thousands of direct and indirect jobs — from engineering and operations to small businesses that spring up around new stations.

In a state working to diversify beyond traditional sectors, the rail line is being viewed as a catalyst for broader urban renewal and connectivity.

The delegation’s presence highlighted the collaborative spirit between the Tinubu administration and Governor Uba Sani’s team.

Federal support has been pivotal in unlocking the massive funding and technical backing required for a project of this scale.

State officials, in turn, have been praised for their cooperation and readiness to move from planning to execution.

This partnership model — where federal resources meet state-level drive and local knowledge — is increasingly seen as essential for delivering big-ticket infrastructure across Nigeria’s diverse regions.

While the mood in Kaduna remains upbeat, with many residents and stakeholders hailing the progress, the real test lies ahead in execution.

Meeting timelines, ensuring quality, managing community impacts, and maintaining transparent fund management will determine whether the project delivers on its full promise.

For now, the sight of federal and state teams walking the project site together, combined with the confirmed groundbreaking date, has injected fresh optimism.

Kaduna is signaling that it intends to lead in modern transportation solutions, and the coming weeks will show how quickly that vision translates into steel, tracks, and trains serving the people.

As the delegation departed, one message rang clear: the machinery is in motion, and Kaduna’s next chapter in urban mobility is no longer a distant dream — it is taking shape on the ground.