By Bavoriat Clara
he Federal Government has reaffirmed its determination to overhaul Nigeria’s transportation landscape with the construction of a 4,000-kilometre high-speed rail network aimed at linking major economic hubs, boosting trade, and fostering national integration.
Speaking in Abuja, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, disclosed the plan while receiving the management team of De-Sadel Nigeria Limited and their financial partners, China Liancai Petroleum Investment Holdings Limited, during the formal presentation of a $60 billion proof-of-funds for the ambitious project.
According to a statement by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen, the SGF described the presentation as a significant step towards realising one of the country’s largest infrastructure undertakings.
He noted that the proof-of-funds for the initial phase would undergo rigorous verification in line with established government procedures.Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Alkali, stressed that the rail project aligns perfectly with the Ministry’s mandate to deliver safe, efficient, and affordable transport services, while also advancing President Bola Tinubu’s drive to attract foreign investment into key infrastructure sectors.
In a similar vein, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, assured investors of Nigeria’s capacity to provide reliable gas supply for the project.
He highlighted the nation’s proven reserves of 210 trillion cubic feet of gas, with an additional 600 trillion cubic feet in deep offshore deposits, as a critical advantage for powering such large-scale infrastructure.
Chief Executive Officer of De-Sadel Nigeria Limited, Mr. Samuel Uko, revealed that the project will be executed in phases, with the first 1,700-kilometre stretch linking Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt.
He added that completed sections would be commissioned for public use ahead of the projected 36-month completion timeline.
The Director-General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Dr. Jobson Ewalefoh, reaffirmed that the submission of proof-of-funds is a statutory requirement for projects of this scale.
He assured that the Commission will conduct a comprehensive review to confirm the financial and technical soundness of the proposal before implementation begins.
If completed as envisioned, the high-speed rail network is expected to become a game-changer for Nigeria’s transport sector, redefining mobility, unlocking economic potential, and deepening national cohesion.
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