President Tinubu Assures Completion of Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano Railway Project
In a significant development, Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has given assurances that the Ibadan-Abuja-Kaduna-Kano railway project will be completed to the satisfaction of Nigeria and West Africa at large. The project, being implemented by China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), is a vital component of Nigeria’s infrastructure development programme.
During his visit to CRCC headquarters in Beijing, President Tinubu acknowledged the company’s reliability as a partner in Nigeria’s infrastructure development programme. He commended the ongoing railway projects in Nigeria and assured the company that Nigeria is ready to do business with them.
"We will support your investment in solid minerals and other ventures in Nigeria. I am here to assure you that Nigeria is ready to do business with you," the President assured Dai Hegen, the Chairman of CRCC.
Mr. Hegen informed the President that CRCC has been involved in Nigeria for 43 years, implementing over 300 projects and training over 100,000 local workers. The company’s Abuja-Kaduna Railway and Lagos-Ibadan Railway have transported approximately 9 million passengers and 180 tonnes of cargo, with the Lagos blue line transporting over 1.6 million passengers.
Meanwhile, President Tinubu also visited Huawei Technologies’ Beijing Research Centre, where the company announced the launch of DigiTruck, a mobile ICT classroom aimed at enhancing digital literacy in underserved Nigerian communities. The initiative will operate in 10 states annually, training at least 3,000 students each year.
The President praised Nigeria’s Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for its efforts to train 3 million technical talents, known as the 3MTT programme. The programme is targeted at equipping the country’s young population with the skills necessary for present and future economic opportunities.
Huawei expressed support for Nigeria’s National Talent Export Programme (NATEP), which aims to position Nigeria as a hub for talent outsourcing in Africa. The company also plans to establish a joint PV test lab with Nigeria’s Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to support the country’s renewable energy goals.
The meeting highlighted the strong partnership between Nigeria and China in various sectors, including infrastructure, technology, and education. The initiative is expected to have a significant impact on Nigeria’s economy, enhancing public services, digital governance, and the country’s inclusive development agenda.
