Kaduna–Kano Railway Nears Completion as December 3 Inauguration Is Planned
The completed Jaji–Kano section is expected to be inaugurated next month, although work remains on parts of the wider railway project.
The Federal Government says the project has reached about 90% completion, while a completed 190-kilometre section is scheduled for inauguration next month.
November 10, 2026
ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria's Kaduna–Kano Standard Gauge Railway has reached approximately 90% completion, according to the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, as the government moves closer to opening completed sections of the major northern transport project.
A statement released on November 8 by Dele Alake, spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, said President Bola Tinubu is scheduled to inaugurate the completed 190-kilometre Jaji–Kano section on December 3, 2026.
The wider railway project is expected to strengthen connections between Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria and Kano when fully completed and operational.
Project Reaches 90% Completion
The Federal Ministry of Information said on October 23 that the Kaduna–Zaria–Kano standard gauge railway had reached approximately 90% completion.
The update followed an inspection tour led by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Funso Adebiyi, who travelled by train from Jaji toward Kano to assess progress and the quality of the work.
According to the ministry, the inspection examined railway alignment, drainage, embankment protection, stone pitching and soil stabilisation.
Officials said the remaining work included addressing outstanding land acquisition and compensation issues within Kaduna metropolis, which have affected completion of the remaining link to the existing Abuja–Kaduna railway corridor.
December 3 Inauguration Planned
The APC Presidential Campaign Council said the completed 190-kilometre Jaji–Kano section would be inaugurated on December 3.
The announcement was also reported by multiple Nigerian news organisations, including Channels Television and Punch.
The same date is also planned for the inauguration of a completed section of the Kano–Katsina–Maradi railway project, according to the council's statement.
However, the inauguration date remains a planned event, and the announcement should not be interpreted as confirmation that the entire Kaduna–Kano railway project has been completed.
A Key Transport Corridor
The Kaduna–Kano railway is an extension of the existing Abuja–Kaduna standard gauge line.
When fully operational, the railway is expected to provide a continuous connection between Abuja, Kaduna, Zaria and Kano, linking major commercial centres in northern Nigeria.
The project is also expected to provide an alternative to road transport and support the movement of passengers and goods along one of the region's major commercial corridors.
For now, the project's reported progress represents a significant step toward completing the rail connection. The planned December 3 inauguration would open a major completed section, while work continues on the remaining parts needed to establish the full Abuja-to-Kano railway corridor.