FG approves $3bn to complete eastern rail, pushes Lagos-Calabar coastal highway

President Bola Tinubu has announced a fresh wave of investment in Nigeria’s transport infrastructure, saying his administration is determined to reverse decades of underdevelopment in the sector.

In his Independence Day broadcast, the president disclosed that the Federal Executive Council had approved $3 billion for the completion of the Eastern Rail Project.

He explained that major rail projects are ongoing, including the 284-kilometre Kano–Katsina–Maradi Standard Gauge line and the Kaduna–Kano rail, which is nearing completion.

Work is also progressing on flagship road projects such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto–Badagry Highway.

Tinubu stressed that Nigeria’s future growth depended on massive investment in modern transport systems, noting that rail and water transport had already recorded growth rates of over 40 and 27 percent respectively in the past year.

“We must build the roads we need, repair those that are decrepit, and construct the schools and hospitals our people deserve.

“Our administration is setting things right after decades of neglect,” Tinubu said.

He maintained that these infrastructure projects would open up trade corridors, improve industrial development and connect Nigerians across regions in ways that would boost the economy for generations to come.