Minister Of Transportation, Sen. Said Ahmed Alkali has called on Chinese and foreign investors to invest in Nigeria’s railway infrastructure such and the power supply schemes, integrated security solutions, and real-time monitoring systems to secure the corridors and ensure reliable service delivery.
The minister who spoke at the 16th International Infrastructure Investment And Construction Forum (IIICF), in Macao, China, said China has been a trusted friend and partner, and we look forward to deeper collaboration that builds not just railways, but bridges of opportunity, peace, and shared progress.
He further said Nigeria has also embraced sustainability in its railway development strategy and are retrofitting locomotives to accommodate hybrid propulsion systems powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
According to the minister, “infrastructure is not just about tracks and trains. For our railway system to function optimally, there is a need for investments in dedicated power supply schemes, integrated security solutions, and real-time monitoring systems to secure the corridors and ensure reliable service delivery. These are areas ripe for private sector participation and public-private partnerships.
“China has been a trusted friend and partner, and we look forward to deeper collaboration that builds not just railways, but bridges of opportunity, peace, and shared progress. I invite global investors, financiers, and infrastructure developers here to consider Nigeria not merely as a market, but as a strategic hub for African regional connectivity, a country that believes in partnerships that empower and transform.
“Together, through enhanced connectivity and win-win cooperation, we can build a future where our railways and other modes of land transport carry not just goods and people, but also the promise of a prosperous tomorrow.”
Speaking on the theme of the event, the minister said, “the theme of this year’s Forum is particularly apt, as nations around the world increasingly realize that no economy thrives in isolation. The critical role of connectivity in transportation infrastructure, especially railway systems — cannot be over emphasised.
“At the heart of this connectivity is cooperation. A cooperation that must be mutual. A cooperation that must be strategic. A cooperation that, in the words of this year’s theme, must be on win-win approach.”
He further stated that “Nigeria has found such cooperation in its partnership with the People’s Republic of China. Through deliberate collaboration anchored in mutual respect and shared interests, Nigeria and China have embarked on transformational infrastructure projects that are enhancing regional integration, unlocking economic potentials, and delivering tangible benefits to our people.
“A prime example of this partnership is the Lagos–Kano Standard Gauge Railway Project, which is a flagship initiative under Nigeria’s railway modernization programme undertaken by the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC). This ambitious corridor has been segmented for implementation, and I am pleased to report remarkable milestones:
“The Abuja–Kaduna Railway Line, the first completed segment, has been operational since 2016, becoming a vital link for passengers and cargo in Northern Nigeria.”
The Lagos–Ibadan Railway Line, completed and inaugurated in 2021, is now enhancing commercial activity between Nigeria’s largest commercial city and its hinterland.
Construction is currently ongoing on the Kaduna–Kano Railway Line, with notable progress being recorded despite funding challenges.