The Federal Government has announced an ambitious plan to power Nigeria’s proposed high-speed rail network with 8,500 megawatts of electricity generated from natural gas under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

According to officials, the project is designed to integrate Nigeria’s abundant natural gas resources into the transportation sector, ensuring a reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable power supply for the rail system. The initiative aligns with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda to modernize infrastructure, enhance mobility, and strengthen the economy through energy-driven industrialization.

The high-speed rail network is expected to transform connectivity across the country, cutting travel times significantly and linking key economic hubs. Government officials explained that powering the system with natural gas will reduce reliance on imported fuels, cut operational costs, and position Nigeria as a leader in clean, gas-based transport solutions in Africa.

President Tinubu’s administration emphasized that the plan is part of a broader strategy to leverage natural gas as Nigeria’s transition fuel, driving growth not only in transportation but also in power generation, industry, and export markets. The government pledged close collaboration with private investors and international partners to accelerate project delivery and maximize its impact on jobs, trade, and national development.