In a strategic move to enhance railway transportation, safeguard passengers and critical railway infrastructure, and address security threats, including banditry, kidnapping and vandalism across the country, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the acquisition of surveillance and security equipment, as well as additional train coaches, to strengthen the movement of people and goods along Nigeria’s railway corridors
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funso Adebiyi, disclosed this on Saturday, 17 October 2026, during an inspection of the Kano–Daura–Katsina sections of the Kano–Maradi Railway Project.
The inspection was aimed at providing the Ministry with a firsthand assessment of the level of project implementation, identifying outstanding technical, operational and logistical challenges, and evaluating preparedness for the project’s scheduled commissioning in December 2026.
Engr. Adebiyi, accompanied by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Transportation and Mobility, Prince Adetokunbo Ademola Ade-John, and other key Ministry officials, participated in a beam-launching exercise for the ongoing construction of a railway bridge at Chainage 191 along the Kano–Katsina–Maradi Railway Project.
Speaking on the security challenges confronting railway operations in the country, the Permanent Secretary described insecurity as a major concern for the Ministry, citing the reported incident involving two trains on the Kaduna–Abuja corridor, which he attributed to vandalism and banditry.
He said: “Security challenge has remained a major source of concern to us in the Ministry. You will recall that in Kaduna, the train activities between Kaduna and Abuja, two trains, had a head-on collision. It was due to vandalism and banditry.
“I’m glad to inform you that Mr. President has given the go-ahead for us to embark on the acquisition of surveillance security equipment all across the country, and we are working round the clock to ensure this. I can assure you, by the time we are through, there will be no reason for vandalism. The Nigerian Railway Corporation has also recruited a surveillance team that patrols its routes regularly. So, I can assure you that security is seriously being considered.”
The Permanent Secretary emphasised that the approved acquisition of surveillance and security equipment would strengthen monitoring and protection across railway routes nationwide. He also noted that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) had recruited a surveillance team to conduct regular patrols along its rail corridors as part of efforts to improve security.
On the procurement and maintenance of additional train coaches, Engr. Adebiyi disclosed that President Tinubu had approved the contract for their acquisition. He further explained that the Ministry was taking steps to ensure that NRC personnel received the necessary training in the operation and maintenance of the new coaches.
According to him, Nigerian Railway Corporation staff would be actively involved in the assembly of the coaches to enhance their technical capacity and facilitate effective maintenance after deployment.
He stated: “Mr. President has approved the contract for the acquisition of more coaches, and we are going the extra mile also to get Nigerian Railway Corporation staff trained in the operation and maintenance of those new coaches. They will be deeply involved in assembling the coaches to ease maintenance thereafter. I can assure you people will be smiling very soon.”
Engr. Adebiyi explained that these measures were designed to build local technical capacity and ensure that Nigerian personnel could undertake essential maintenance activities after the project had been completed and handed over to the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Transportation and Mobility, Prince Adetokunbo Ademola Ade-John, commended the progress recorded on the Kano–Maradi Railway Project, describing it as tangible evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to revitalising Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He observed that construction work was progressing across the various project corridors and disclosed that a railway tracking system had received approval in principle as part of broader efforts to strengthen railway security.
Prince Ade-John further revealed that the project’s workforce had increased and working hours had been extended to accelerate construction activities and ensure that the project met its December 2026 deadline.
He expressed optimism that the project would deliver sustainable economic and mobility benefits, improving the movement of people and goods while creating lasting value for both the present generation and generations to come.
The Federal Ministry of Transportation remains committed to strengthening railway security, expanding passenger and freight capacity, building local technical expertise, and supporting the timely delivery of critical railway infrastructure in line with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Gift Osima Seddon
For: Deputy Director (Press and Public Relations)
