Kano-Katsina Rail Project Hits 80% Completion as FG Maintains December 2026 Commissioning Target
Oru Leonard
The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to completing and commissioning the 284-kilometre Kano-Katsina railway project by December 2026, with the project now about 80 per cent physically completed.
The assurance came during a joint inspection of the project by officials of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Federal Ministry of Finance, representatives of lending institutions and the contractor handling the project, Mota-Engil Nigeria.
As part of the inspection, officials also undertook a test run on the completed section of the railway from Kazaure to Katsina, providing an indication of the progress recorded along the strategic northern rail corridor.
Speaking after the inspection, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funso Adebiyi, who was represented by the Director of Rail Transport Services, Engr. Habibat Buhari, said the project remained on course despite challenges that had affected construction activities.
Buhari said the rainy season had slowed construction work to some extent but noted that substantial progress had been made.
She disclosed that the project had attained approximately 80 per cent physical completion, while materials needed for further track-laying activities had already been stockpiled at the project camp.
According to her, the Federal Government was working to ensure that the remaining components of the project were delivered within the approved schedule.
“We have done a lot of work for just one per cent physical progress,” she said, stressing that the project had reached a stage where outstanding construction activities could be accelerated.
Buhari identified insecurity in some sections of the corridor and disputes involving land and canal areas as the major challenges affecting the pace of construction.
She explained that security concerns had disrupted activities in some locations, while disagreements over provisions of the Land Use Act had also slowed access to certain project areas.
She, however, assured that the challenges were temporary and would not prevent the project from being completed.
“These will only cause delays, not stop the project. We have had similar cases in the past and they have been attended to,” she said.
The ministry official added that the government was intensifying discussions with affected communities and other stakeholders to resolve outstanding land issues and allow contractors to commence work in the affected locations.
FG Targets December Commissioning
Buhari expressed confidence that the December 2026 commissioning target would be met, adding that efforts were also being made to ensure that the required rolling stock was available for the commissioning.
“Even if we don’t get all of it, at least we get the ones to commission by December. We are targeting the commissioning of the project by December, God’s willing, and there is no going back. So we are on course,” she stated.
FG Releases 15% Counterpart Funding
Also speaking during the inspection, the Director, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance, Alhaji Muhammadu Kamal, said the government had been meeting its financial obligations to the project.
Kamal said government releases were being made as and when due, adding that the Federal Government had provided its 15 per cent counterpart funding under the financing arrangement.
He explained that the project was being financed through a combination of loan facilities and counterpart funding, with the Federal Government responsible for 15 per cent while 85 per cent was being provided through the financing facility.
The Senior Country Officer and representative of the Development Bank of Southern Africa, Siya Biniza, disclosed that the bank had invested about $250 million in the project.
Biniza described the railway as a strategic infrastructure investment capable of generating significant economic benefits for Kano, Katsina, northern Nigeria and the wider region.
He said the inspection demonstrated the substantial financial resources already committed to the development of the rail corridor.
Mota-Engil Confirms December Delivery
The project contractor, Mota-Engil Nigeria, also reaffirmed its commitment to delivering the Kano-Katsina section by December 2026.
The company’s Chief Financial Officer, Vladislav Bystrenko, said the first phase, covering the Kano-Katsina corridor, was scheduled for completion by December.
He disclosed that the extension of the railway from Katsina to Maradi in the Niger Republic was expected to be completed by the end of 2027.
Bystrenko confirmed that the Kano-Katsina section had reached approximately 80 per cent completion, reinforcing the Federal Government’s position that the strategic rail project remains on track for commissioning before the end of 2026.
The completion of the corridor is expected to strengthen rail connectivity across northern Nigeria, improve movement of people and goods, and deepen economic links between Nigeria and neighbouring Niger Republic.
