Federal Ministry of Transportation

The Ministry hosted a meeting in Abuja to advance the Personnel Audit Skills Gap Analysis project.

The Director Overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary/Director, Road & Mass Transit Administration, Musa Ibrahim, who was represented by the Director of Human Resources Management, Mshelbwala Ibrahim Musa Mshelbwala met with Consultants M/S Transform Limited, led by Dr. Offiong Achibong.

FEDERAL MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION

PRESS RELEASE

16TH SEPTEMBER, 2025

FG: NIGERIA'S RAILWAY SYSTEM IS BEING EXPANDED TO MEET POPULATION GROWTH AND REPOSITION THE COUNTRY AS A LEADER IN AFRICAN LOGISTICS

The Federal Government has said that the ongoing railway projects across the country are oriented towards addressing the adversities of population growth from the year 2050. This he noted underscores the need to lead Africa’s economic development.

President Tinubu made this known yesterday, 15th September, 2025, in Abuja at the second International Railway Conference with the theme: Opportunities and Challenges in Railways Development in Africa stated that Nigeria today, more than at any point in our journey as a nation, is in great need of rail services for two compelling reasons. “The size of our economy and the scale of our population – 230 million people – is ageing towards 250 million. And by 2050, we will be the third most populous nation on earth.”

The President, represented by Vice President, Kashim Shettima GCON, stated that Nigeria is projected to surpass the United States and hit about 440 million people. While emphasizing the importance of rail transport services to the economy.

The President stated that the world has remained committed to railway services because it has proven to be the backbone of industrialisation, connecting more materials to factories, workers to opportunities, and farmers to markets. Adding that they shape not only economies, but also the cultural and social bonds of societies.
“This enduring relevance explains why every forward-looking nation, from China to Vietnam, across generations, has invested in the railways as a special driver of development.

“We cannot afford to lag if we seek to keep pace with global economic competitiveness. Thankfully, every part of this continent has embraced the reality of trains as a practical solution to our transportation challenges.

President Tinubu said he looked forward to Nigeria taking the lead in the railway system across Africa, saying: “The challenge ahead of us is to lead this race as the logistics hub of Africa. By reviving and revitalising our railway services, we must be conscious of our place as the anchor of West Africa’s economy and home to the continent’s largest population, as we prepare for the adoption of modern railway infrastructure.
“This awakening inspires projects, such as the Kano-Maradi railway modernisation, which opens new gateways for trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“Our agenda is shaped by the need to reduce the burden on our roads and highways. Decades of over-reliance on road transportation have led to congestion, rapid deterioration of infrastructure, and higher accident rates. Railways offer safer and more environmentally friendly alternatives, reducing carbon emissions, and reinforcing our commitment to sustainable development.”

According to him, connecting the country through rail requires collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
“The task of maximising the opportunities in the railway sector is not one we consider easy. It requires networks, partnerships, and robust collaboration with stakeholders. This is why our ongoing modernisation projects, Lagos to Kano, Kano to Maradi, and Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, are designed with open doors for private sector participation.”
He hinted that the Kano-Maradi rail project, which was at five per cent when the administration assumed office, is approaching 60 per cent completion.

Speaking earlier in a welcome address, the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Alkali, stated that the conference will maximize the potential of the railway sub-sector. He said the conference also seeks to assemble railway experts, industry players, and other Stakeholders to share knowledge and experience across jurisdictions on emerging trends, funding opportunities, and prospects of railway services as a catalyst for national development.

“Successful facilitation of takeoff of the Federal University of Transportation Daura whose manpower status at the inception of the Administration had only a Vice Chancellor;
“The Administration also supported the operationalisation of the laudable Presidential initiative on compressed Natural Gas through the establishment of CNG Conversion Centres and training of over 6,000 transport professionals in 2024 alone by the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) Zaria to administer transport initiatives, laws, and policies.
It facilitated the provision of the Presidential transport festive relief programme across the country during the Yuletide, which transported over one million passengers free by rail and road in 2023 and 2024, respectively, to enhance the security and welfare of Nigerians.

The recent introduction of dual-fuel locomotive technology flagged off on the Abuja – Kaduna rail corridor to enhance operational cost effectiveness; Federal Government‘s financial support for the establishment of light rail by states beginning with Kaduna, Kano, and Ogun to enhance public transportation and economic productivity in the affected states and the country in general.

“The administration also attracted foreign investors for the construction of high-speed rail from Abuja – Lagos, Abuja – Kano, and Abuja – Port Harcourt to boost the nation’s infrastructural development and revenue generation profile. At the moment, the Outline Business Case was approved by the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC); Facilitated sourcing of funds from China Development Bank and the release of the Federal Government’s counterpart funds for the Kaduna-Kano rail modernization project; and “The recent approval of the National Land Transport Policy by the Federal Executive Council after decades of struggle since 1993. The policy will lay the foundation for the future development of land transportation in Nigeria.”

The Minister, also observed that around the world, railways have always been more than a transport mode. “They are nation builders and Engines of Economic Transformation:
In Europe, railways enabled the Industrial Revolution.
In China, they powered urbanization and export growth.
In Africa, railways are emerging as the backbone of regional integration.
“To give credence to the foregoing reality, the railways development and services have been moved from the Exclusive list to the concurrent list through successful Constitutional Alteration. This development will create opportunities for states and private sector participation to maximise the potential of railway transport as an enabler of economic growth and connector of regional hopes.
“Let us envision a Nigeria where:
Our ports are seamlessly connected to factories by rail;
Our highways are relieved of endless trucks;
Our youth are employed building and running trains;
Our neighbours see Nigeria as the hub of African rail logistics.

“This is not a dream. It is a future within our grasp if we work together. Ladies and Gentlemen, the railway is the track of Nigeria’s future linking our economy, uniting our people, and securing our place in Africa and the world”.

In his presentation, major partner of the 2nd International Railway Conference and the Chief Executive Officer, De-Sadel Consortium, Samuel Uko commended the Federal Government for approving high speed rail project in the country.
He said that Nigeria would be the world`s second-largest high speed rail network at the completion of the project. This is even as he noted that the project would create two million direct and indirect jobs for the Nigerian public.

Signed
Janet McDickson
Director, Information & PR

Photo 1: L-R; CEO, De-Sadel Consortium, Samuel Uko, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Dr. George Akume, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima GCON, Honourable Minister Federal Ministry of Transportation, Sen. Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, the House of Reps. Committee Chairperson on Land Transport, Hon. Blessing Onuh and the House Senate Committee Chairman on Land Transport, Sen. Adamu Aliero.

Opening day of the 2nd International Railway Conference began yesterday, the Honourable Minister, Sen. Said Alkali, hosted a number of dignitaries, including Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima GCON, Senator Dr. George Akume .

Please view NTA youtube link:
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The 2nd International Railway Conference will be broadcast live online from September 15-16, 2025, daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Federal Ministry of Transportation

Press Release
14th September, 2025

Railway Development: Stakeholders Set to Brainstorm on Opportunities and Challenges in the Railway Industry.

The Federal Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), and De-sadel as a major partner is set to welcome Railway Stakeholders from all over Africa and beyond to brainstorm on the Opportunities and Challenges in the Railway industry in Africa.

The Vice President Kashim Shettima GCON will give the keynote address and declare the conference open.

Mr Rowland Ocholi Ataguba, Managing Director Bethlehem Rail is the keynote speaker

The Honourable Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Ahmed Alkali who has made giant strides in the transportation sector is bringing to fore the event in collaboration with other Stakeholders.

The 2nd International Railway Conference and Exhibition, is a transformative event that will shape the future of Transportation in Africa.

The event will take place at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Continental Hotel on 15th -16th September 2025.

Janet McDickson Noah
D (Press & Information)

PRESS RELEASE

*FG CONSTITUTES JOINT MINISTERIAL COMMITTEE TO MEDIATE AND ADDRESS ALLEGED HARRASSMENT AND MULTIPLE TAXATION OF MARITIME TRUCK OWNERS.*

The Federal Government has constituted a 5-man joint ministerial committee comprising of the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy with a charge to mediate, address and proffer remedies to challenges faced by the Association of Maritime Truck Owners.

The Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Alkali, made this known when he received a delegation comprised of the National Executive of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) and the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) at the Ministry in Abuja.

Speaking, Alkali explained that the meeting and constitution of the joint committee became imperative following correspondence from the Unions on their intent to embark on a nationwide strike due to unabated destruction of trucks, brutalization of truck drivers, illegal tariffs, amongst others by associations and groups.

He identified the crucial role the association plays in the affairs of the country, stating that transportation is the gateway of the nation’s economy. This is even as he noted that the sector can not succeed without the cooperation and collaboration of both unions.

On behalf of the Federal Government and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Alkali called on AMATO and NARTO to give room for dialogue.

On her part, a member of the Board of Trustees (BOT), AMATO, Folake Soji-George while presenting the Union’s position stated that challenges faced by the association informed the unanimous decision of maritime trucking Stakeholders to withdraw it’s services to press home their demand.

She disclosed that the maritime trucking community has for a protracted period being bedeviled with scourge of unabated destruction of it’s assets (trucks) brutalization of it’s drivers by a certain group which according to her has made operations become unbearable.

In his address, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), Chief Aloga Ogbogo stated that the body has highlighted the excessive towing practices by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and also raised concerns of increasing intimidation, harassment, brutalization and killings of truck drivers, these atrocities have become unbearable, negatively impacting their businesses and has hindered transporters from renewing their fleets, as their income is directly tied to turnaround time.

The constituted consists of the Permanent Secretary of Marine and Blue Economy, Oloruntola Olufemi as Chairman and his counterpart of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Adeleye Adeoye as Co-Chairman.

The Director Legal Services, Pius Oteh- Secretary while the Director, Road Transport and Mass Transit Administration, Musa Ibrahim and Director, Maritime Services, Babatunde Sule as members.

The committee is expected to provide findings and recommendations to the Minister within two weeks.

Report by Gift Seddon- CIO, PPRU, Jane Nwachokor, ACIO, PPRU & Desmond Adyo; SI & PRO.

Signed
Muhammad Tahir Zakari MFR
12th September, 2024.

Federal Ministry of Transportation.
Press Release,
27th August, 2024.

ALKALI EXPRESSES CONCERN FOR PWD's ELDERLY NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCESS TRAIN SERVICES, GIVEN DESIGNS OF MOST STATIONS.

The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali has expressed government's concern over the non-provision of escalators at the Kubwa train station, therefore putting persons with disabilities (PWDs) and the elderly through serious ordeals when they want to access the train platform at Kubwa in Abuja. Possibly thinking that this is how many of the train stations across the country are constructed to exclude the PWDs and the elderly, Alkali disclosed his resolve that "We will go back to the office and see what we can do at the level of NRC and the contractors to put escalators or some things in place."

Alkali who stated this during an unscheduled visit on Monday, 26th August, 2024, in company of his Permanent Secretary and other officials of ministry to the Kubwa train station.

He frowned at the non-provision and consideration for the elderly and the PWDs in the design and building of the train station as a thing of worry and concern.

"I noticed that from the initial plan of the station, there was no provision for an escalator, so the staircase obviously has to be used by all, including the physically challenged persons and the elderly who find it difficult to gain access to trains."

He assured that he, alongside the management and technical team of the Ministry, would recalibrate and realign the initial design. This he noted will cater to the needs of the elderly and PWDs.

In another perspective, the Minister disclosed that he was also on an-on-the-spot-assessment following report that just got to his notice that the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) assets that serve the Kubwa train station was recently vandalized thus plaguing the train station into reliance on alternative power supply.

He assured that directives has been issued to the management of the Nigeria Railway Corporation to laise with the AEDC to ensure that the national grid is restored to the station which in its absence has restrained the station from providing optimal services.

He further assured that the Nigeria Railway Corporation will continue to provide the needed services to the public.

Report by Desmond Adyo - Senior Information and Public Relations Officer.

Signed.
Olujimi Oyetomi,
Director, Press & Public Relations Office.

Federal Ministry of Transportation,
Press Release
25th July, 2024

Adeleye Adeoye reports for duty as newly posted Permanent Secretary of Transportation.

The Federal Ministry of Transportation has welcomed its new Permanent Secretary, Mr. Adeleye Adeoye Ayodeji yesterday, 24th July, 2024. He was received by the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said Alkali alongside the Permanent Secretary of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Michael Oloruntola. Adeleye Adeoye was also availed of the opportunity of meeting Directors of the Ministry.

Mr. Adeleye Ayodeji, who served as the Permanent Secretary of Career Management Office (CMO) at the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation expressed gratitude for the warmth reception he got from the management of the Transport ministry which is still in the process of being separated from its co-joined Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

Adeoye, therefore, urged staff of both ministries to work together for the common goal of serving the same administration and Nigerians. He stressed that there is always a reward for hard work.

Report by Precious Ufuoma Jeremiah (Principal Information Officer)

Signed:
Director (Press and Public Relations).