ABUJA, Nigeria — The Federal Government will begin construction of the Kaduna two-corridor light rail project next month, following the completion of technical assessments and route evaluations, as the project moves from planning into execution.
Okay News reports that the announcement was made following a meeting between officials of the Federal Ministry of Transportation and representatives of the Kaduna State Government, including Governor Uba Sani, as broadcast by AIT News on Saturday, June 13, 2026.
“The Kaduna Light Rail project, one of three approved for Kaduna, Kano, and Lagos, is designed to provide an efficient mass transit solution to the growing population of Kaduna metropolis. Officials say all necessary processes have been finalised to ensure contractors move to site within next month,” the broadcast stated.
The Kaduna light rail will operate two main corridors. The Red Line will run from Rigachikun to Sabon Tasha, passing through key commercial districts, while the Yellow Line will connect Millennium City to Rigasa Railway Station, linking residential areas with a major transport hub.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Olufunsho Adebiyi, said technical assessments of the proposed routes had been completed, with attention now focused on addressing potential obstructions and refining alignments to ensure smooth project delivery.
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani described the project as a transformative intervention aligned with the state’s vision of developing an efficient and integrated transport system, particularly in response to growing urban mobility demands.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved $2.99 billion for urban rail projects in Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna as part of efforts to expand Nigeria’s mass transit infrastructure. Minister of Finance and Coordinating Economy Taiwo Oyedele said the approval covers the Lagos Green Line (Phase 1A), Kano Metro Rail, and Kaduna Light Rail projects, funded through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) under a public-private partnership framework.
In September 2025, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris said approximately N250 billion (approximately $163 million) had been secured for rail development in Kano and Kaduna, with N150 billion (approximately $98 million) allocated to Kano and N100 billion (approximately $65 million) to Kaduna.
The Lagos Green Line, a 68-kilometre corridor from the Lekki Free Zone to Marina serving areas including Victoria Island, Lekki, and Ajah, has received N102.3 billion (approximately $66 million) in 2026 counterpart funding following N146.14 billion (approximately $95 million) in 2025. Valued at approximately $3 billion, the project includes 17 stations, modern passenger facilities, and a depot near Sangotedo, designed for eight-car trains running at up to 100 km/h with a capacity of approximately 35,000 passengers per hour per direction.
