The Federal Government has announced plans to develop a high-speed rail network linking Lekki in Lagos State to Maiduguri, Borno State, with trains expected to travel at speeds of up to 360 kilometres per hour.
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Funsho Adebiyi, disclosed this in Abuja during the 19th National Council on Transportation.
Adebiyi said the proposed rail line would reduce travel time between major cities and encourage Nigerians to use rail transportation instead of travelling by road.
According to him, the project could eventually enable passengers to travel between Abuja and Lagos in about three hours.
The permanent secretary explained that the proposed railway could be constructed on elevated structures, allowing trains to operate at high speeds.
He said the Federal Government was also expanding Nigeria's rail infrastructure and working towards integrating road, rail and water transportation.
Adebiyi further disclosed that the government had approved light rail projects for Kano, Kaduna and Lagos, with plans to introduce similar projects in other state capitals.
Government Plans Smart Transport Database
The Ministry of Transportation is also set to implement a Smart National Transport Data Bank following approval by the Federal Executive Council.
Adebiyi said the database would provide comprehensive information on vehicles, drivers, road users and transport workers across the country.
He explained that the project would be implemented under a design, build, finance, operate and transfer model.
The database is expected to improve transportation planning, strengthen coordination among government agencies and enhance road safety.
According to Adebiyi, standardised motor parks would also be introduced, with passenger manifests containing information such as passengers' names, telephone numbers, destinations and next-of-kin details.
He said such information would enable authorities to quickly identify passengers in the event of road accidents or other emergencies.
The government also plans to computerise vehicle plate numbers, which would enable authorities to identify motorists who violate traffic regulations.
Six Standard Bus Terminals Planned
Adebiyi announced that the Federal Government had approved the construction of standardised bus terminals across the country, beginning with six facilities.
The terminals are expected to include waiting areas, police booths, mechanic workshops, restaurants, restrooms and other passenger facilities.
Vehicles operating from the terminals would also undergo checks to ensure they are roadworthy before being allowed to depart.
He added that commercial transport operators would be required to obtain licences from the Federal Road Safety Corps before commencing operations.
National Land Transport Policy to Be Unveiled
The permanent secretary also disclosed that Nigeria's National Land Transport Policy, which was approved at the previous National Council on Transportation meeting, would be unveiled on Thursday.
He said the policy would be enforced and was designed to improve the efficiency, safety, affordability and coordination of land transportation across the country.
Adebiyi stressed that Nigerians should have different transportation options when travelling between cities rather than relying mainly on road or air transport.
He said the government would continue investing in rail, road and water transportation to create an interconnected national transport system.
The proposed Lagos-Maiduguri high-speed rail project is part of the Federal Government's broader plan to modernise Nigeria's transportation infrastructure and reduce dependence on road travel.
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