The Federal Government has confirmed that the Kaduna–Kano–Jigawa–Katsina–Maradi railway project is 60 per cent complete. Ali Bukar, Resident Engineer of the Federal Ministry of Transportation overseeing Section Two, disclosed this during an inspection visit by the Presidential Media Team in Jigawa. The visit was led by the President's Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare. A statement issued Sunday by Abiodun Oladunjoye, Director of Information and Public Relations at the State House, Abuja, detailed the update.
Bukar said construction is advancing steadily across two major corridors, with completion expected by December 2027. Work has intensified along the Kano–Dutse axis, particularly on bridges over waterways and challenging terrain. Piling and substructure works for multiple bridges are at advanced stages, while superstructure installations continue at various sites. Progress has also been recorded on the 104-kilometre Kano–Jigawa corridor and the branch line connecting Kano to Dutse. Track laying, earthworks and structural installations are ongoing.
The project is fully funded under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Scheme of President Bola Tinubu. The Presidential Media Team also inspected other projects in Kano and Jigawa states. These include the Tal-Udu interchange flyover in Gwale Local Government Area, Kano, and the concrete waterline project from Kapin Chiri Dam for irrigation. In Dutse, the team visited the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Skills Acquisition Centre and viewed tractors procured by the Jigawa state government for agricultural support.
Ali Bukar claims steady progress on a rail project expected to finish in 2027, yet offers no explanation for why a 60 per cent completion rate still leaves over three years of work. The timeline suggests the pace of construction slows significantly despite intensified activity. Nigerians along the Kaduna–Maradi corridor must wait through multiple election cycles before seeing tangible benefits. The project's funding under President Tinubu's initiative ties its delivery directly to his administration's credibility.
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