The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved contracts for three major rail projects in Lagos, Kano and Kaduna, in a move aimed at strengthening infrastructure and accelerating economic growth across key urban centres.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Taiwo Oyedele, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing State House correspondents after the council’s fifth meeting, presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Oyedele said the projects—Phase 1A of the Lagos Green Line rail, the Kano Metro City rail, and the Kaduna light rail system—are aligned with the federal government’s broader development agenda. He noted that the initiatives are designed to boost productivity, improve urban mobility, and enhance the overall quality of life for residents.
According to the minister, the selection of Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna reflects their strategic importance as economic hubs capable of delivering significant returns on investment.
“All cities are important, but these are places where targeted efforts can yield outsized results,” he said, emphasising the government’s focus on high-impact infrastructure.
The projects will be financed through the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) on behalf of the Federal Government, with provisions for counterpart funding. Oyedele revealed that the combined cost of the three rail initiatives is estimated at approximately $2.99 billion.
He added that the approvals underscore the administration’s commitment to prioritising infrastructure development as a key driver of inclusive growth and the creation of sustainable urban transport systems across the country.
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