Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, emphasized the need to revive and modernize the country’s railway services to maintain its status as Africa’s logistics hub. Speaking at the second International Railway Conference in Abuja, he highlighted the importance of networking, partnerships, and collaboration among stakeholders to maximize opportunities in the railway sector.
Shettima noted that Nigeria’s role as the anchor of West Africa’s economy and home to the continent’s largest population makes the adoption of modern railway infrastructure essential. He cited the Kano–Maradi railway modernization project as an example of efforts to open new trade gateways under the African Continental Free Trade Area. The Vice President also referenced the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to reduce the burden on roads and highways across the country.
Decades of over‑reliance on road transportation have led to congestion, rapid deterioration of infrastructure, and higher accident rates. In contrast, railways offer safer, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly alternatives, reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable development. Shettima acknowledged that harnessing the railway sector’s potential will not be easy and will require strong collaboration and partnership among stakeholders, including private‑sector participation in ongoing modernization projects such as the Lagos‑Kano, Kano‑Maradi, and Port Harcourt‑Maiduguri lines.
The Tinubu administration is committed to linking all Nigerian cities through railways and roads to enhance industrialization. President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated a resolve to connect cities so that industries can move products to markets and raw materials can flow seamlessly from primary producers to manufacturers. The second International Railway Conference provides a platform for stakeholders to discuss practical strategies to achieve these objectives.
Shettima applauded the Federal Ministry of Transportation for organizing the conference, describing it as an invaluable opportunity for engagement and collective problem‑solving. He expects the event to facilitate collaboration and knowledge‑sharing among stakeholders, ultimately contributing to a more efficient and sustainable railway system in Nigeria. As the country seeks to revitalize its railway services, the conference outcomes will be crucial in shaping the sector’s future and reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a logistics hub in Africa.
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