Nigerian Railway Corporation to resume Kano–Minna train services before end of 2025
In an attempt to revitalize rail transportation and stimulate economic activity throughout Northern Nigeria, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has declared plans to start train services again along the Kano–Minna line by the end of 2025.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), this was announced by NRC Managing Director Dr. Kayode Opeifa during an official visit to the corporation’s Northern District Office in Zaria on Friday.
According to Opeifa, the company would use funds from the 2025 capital expenditure to revive important equipment in the area.
In order to resume shuttle operations along the Minna–Kaduna and Kaduna–Kano lines, he further disclosed that NRC is collaborating with the governments of Niger, Kano, and Kaduna states.
The Kano–Minna train services would be restored before the end of 2025, according to Dr. Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), in an effort to stimulate local economic activity.
Opeifa stated this during a formal visit to the Northern District Office in Zaria on Friday, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to the NAN article, “he stated that NRC would also repair the equipment in the Northern Regional District in order to reach the established goal, adding that the corporation was also planning to achieve such a target from the 2025 capital expenditure.”
The NRC MD underlined that the action is consistent with Nigeria’s new railway governance framework, which permits more state involvement because rail operations are now under the concurrent legislative list. He added that the NRC will work with the Kaduna State Government to revitalize Zaria’s railway hospital and assist law enforcement and the NSCDC in preventing damage to railway property.
More insights
The NAN report noted that the Regional District Manager for the North, Mr. Adewale Rasheed, described the Northern district as the largest in Nigeria by landmass and staff strength, yet largely inactive.
He stressed the urgent need to revive major routes, such as Lagos–Kano, Kano–Nguru, Kaduna–Minna, and Zaria–Kauran Namoda, to re-engage idle staff and restore full operations across the district.
- In his remarks, the Chairman of the National Union of Railway Workers (NUR), Zaria branch, Mr. Aminu Abdullahi, raised concerns over unresolved staff welfare issues, including unpaid promotion arrears dating back to 2018 and prolonged stagnation in career advancement, especially among gangers. He also called on the NRC to address persistent concerns related to the Railway Property Company, which he said has been a source of frustration for staff.
Nigerian Railway Corporation to resume Kano–Minna train services before end of 2025
The resumption of train services on the Kano–Minna corridor is expected to improve connectivity, facilitate trade, and strengthen the role of rail infrastructure in the region’s economic growth.
REACTIONS
@Zee_Mina:Kano to Minna train? Abeg make dem just maintain am well. We no want another train breakdown inside bush again 😩
@UmarFromKano:This one wey dem say “before end of 2025” — na election promise be that o. We go dey watch. 👀
@TolaTheRealist:Good news if it happens. The roads are not safe and flights are too expensive. This train fit help small.
@ArewaGirl:I just hope the train no go dey move like molue. Clean seats, working toilets, and security first please 🙏🏽
@Danlami_Jnr:Kano to Minna by rail again? I remember when my grandpa used to tell us stories. E good say we dey return to that life small small.
