The Kaduna–Zaria–Kano standard gauge railway project has reached about 90 per cent completion, with the Federal Government pushing to conclude the outstanding works and enable seamless train services between Abuja and Kano.

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funso Adebiyi, FNSE, disclosed this on Thursday, October 22, 2026, during an inspection tour of the project, which included a train journey from Jaji to Kano.

Adebiyi commended the quality of construction, particularly the rail alignment, embankment protection, drainage, stone-pitching and soil stabilisation works, saying the project had largely met the required specifications.

“I want to confess that the quality of work is next to none. The rail alignment apparently is excellent. When you look through the window, you see a sharp change in elevation, some as high as six metres, which tells you the volume of earthwork that is done. The embankment protection work is also great,” he said.

He explained that the significant elevation differences along some sections made proper soil stabilisation, compaction and embankment protection essential to the railway’s safety and long-term durability.

The Permanent Secretary also expressed satisfaction with the train journey from Jaji towards Kano, describing the experience as encouraging.

“I am quite delighted. I feel excited. I don’t feel I should come out of this train, honestly,” he said.

Despite the progress recorded, Adebiyi identified outstanding land acquisition and compensation issues within Kaduna metropolis as a major obstacle to completing the remaining connection between Jaji and the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor.

He assured affected stakeholders that the government was addressing the matter and said it would receive immediate attention when the inspection team returned to Abuja.

Adebiyi said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was committed to completing the project as soon as possible, expressing optimism that passengers would soon be able to travel by train from Abuja through Kaduna and Zaria to Kano without interruption.

According to him, the inspected section covered approximately 145 kilometres of the 200-kilometre Kaduna–Kano route, with about 10 kilometres of work remaining on that stretch.

He added that the sections extending from Kano through Kazaure and Daura to Katsina were targeted for completion by December, with construction activities continuing around the clock to meet the deadline.

The Director of Rail Transport Services in the Ministry, Engr. Habiba Buhari, said the inspection was aimed at assessing the technical quality of the infrastructure ahead of finalisation and test runs.

She said the team examined track geometry, alignment, drainage facilities, concrete works and other components essential to passenger safety and comfort.

“We are here to check the geometry, the alignment, drainage facilities, quality of concrete works which we have been doing. We just want to finalise and test-run,” she said.

Buhari added that the train journey also provided an opportunity to assess passenger comfort and engage relevant stakeholders as the project approaches completion.

The Kaduna–Kano railway is a major component of the Federal Government’s efforts to expand Nigeria’s rail network and improve connectivity between key commercial centres. When completed, the line is expected to facilitate passenger movement across parts of the North-West, support economic activities along the corridor and provide an alternative to road transportation.