Nigeria’s Transport Sector Shifts Gears: Massive Investments, Safer Roads, Cleaner Fuels

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Road Safety Crisis

A tragic accident on the Zaria Kano expressway has claimed 21 lives, raising fresh concerns over road safety in Nigeria. The incident adds to a troubling trend over 5,400 road fatalities were recorded nationwide in 2024 alone.

Major Road Infrastructure Projects Underway

$747 Million Coastal Highway Loan Secured
The Federal Government has secured funding for the first 47.5 km of the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, part of a 700 km mega-project set to transform Nigeria’s coastal corridor.

$652 Million for Lekki Industrial Corridor
China Exim Bank has approved funding for a strategic evacuation road, linking the Lekki Deep Sea Port and Dangote Refinery to key economic routes in the south.

Railway Expansion Gains Momentum

Nigeria is now investing more in rail than it has in the past 60 years combined, according to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

A $254.8 million loan from China Development Bank has revived the Kano Kaduna standard-gauge rail project, enhancing northern connectivity.

Lagos Metro on the Move

Green Line Metro (68 km) construction is now underway. The line will connect Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, serving up to 500,000 commuters daily.

The Blue Line Rail network added three new trainsets in June 2025, boosting urban transit capacity.

Urban Mobility Improvements

Abuja has launched its first 24-hour bus terminal at Mabushi, improving round-the-clock public transport access.

Lagos is expanding its Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system with plans to procure new articulated buses and upgrade over 90 bus stops.

Clean Energy in Transport: CNG Rollout Expands

Over 100,000 vehicles have already been converted to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) under the Presidential CNG Initiative.

The government aims to convert 1 million vehicles by 2028 as part of its clean energy strategy and response to fuel subsidy removal.

Transport Budget for 2025

The Federal Government has allocated ₦256.8 billion to the transportation sector in the 2025 national budget.

Priorities include rail modernization, road expansion, and clean energy adaptation.

Outlook

Nigeria is in the midst of a major transport transformation expanding road and rail infrastructure, improving urban mobility, and transitioning toward cleaner fuel options. However, the nation still grapples with critical road safety and flooding challenges.

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