•Says with Tinubu, linking cities through railways, roads a must

•Declares president committed to transforming Nigeria’s economy for better 

•Insists nation’s doors are open to investments, collaboration across diverse sectors

Deji Elumoye and Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

Vice President Kashim Shettima has declared that the only way Nigeria can maintain its lead as the logistics hub of Africa is to revive and revitalise the nation’s railway services.

Accordingly, he called for strong networking, partnerships, and collaboration among stakeholders, insisting that the task of taking full advantage of the numerous opportunities in the railway sector is not one to be taken lightly.

Shettima who disclosed this in Abuja, yesterday, while declaring open the second International Railway Conference, however, assured that it was such a rebirth that inspired railway projects and modernisation under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Also, speaking at a separate forum yesterday, Shettima said Nigeria’s doors are open to investments and collaboration across diverse sectors as Tinubu remains determined to transform the state of the nation’s economy for the better.

According to him, the results of the bold reforms undertaken by Tinubu’s administration since its assumption in May 2023 are testaments to the renewed determination of Nigeria’s leadership.

Speaking at the railway conference, he said: “The challenge ahead of us is to lead this race as the logistics hub of Africa by reviving and revitalising our railway services. We must be conscious of our place as the anchor of West Africa’s economy and home to the continent’s largest population as we prepare for the adoption of modern railway infrastructure.

“This awakening inspired projects such as the Kano–Maradi railway modernisation, which opens new gateways for trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area”.

The Vice President drew attention to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said, “is also shaped by the urgent need to reduce the burden on roads and highways across the country,” just as he decried decades of over-reliance on road transportation, leading “to congestion, rapid deterioration of infrastructure, and higher accident rates.

“Railways offer safer, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly alternatives, reducing carbon emissions and reinforcing our commitment to sustainable development,” he added.

Shettima, however, did not guarantee an easy path to harnessing the potential in the railway sector, just as he demanded strong collaboration, networking and alliance among stakeholders.

His words: “But the task of maximising the immense opportunities in the railway sector is not one we consider easy. It requires networks, partnerships, and robust collaboration with stakeholders.

“This is why our ongoing modernisation projects—Lagos to Kano, Kano to Maradi, and Port Harcourt to Maiduguri—are designed with open doors for private sector participation. We must ensure not only timely completion, but also sustainability and efficient utilisation of these projects.”

The Vice President restated the firm resolve of the Tinubu administration to link all cities in Nigeria through railways and roads to enhance industrialisation.

“President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated, time and again, our national determination to connect our cities through roads and railways.

“Our aspiration is for a nation where industries can convey their products to the market, and where raw materials can move seamlessly from primary producers to industries without hindrance.”

Declaring the second International Railway Conference open, Shettima described the confab as an invaluable platform to discuss the most practical strategies to achieve these objectives.

He implored participants “to take full advantage of this unique opportunity to engage the resource team and to collectively sharpen the outcomes of” the conference.

The Vice President applauded the Federal Ministry of Transportation for organising the conference in collaboration with De-Sadel Nigeria Limited and the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, saying the “effort in reconnecting our partners in the rail industry across global jurisdictions is commendable.”

Earlier, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said the High-Speed Rail (HSR) project embodies a bold and visionary initiative and reflects the government’s commitment to the transformation of Nigeria’s public sector transportation.

He stressed that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu prioritises transformational infrastructure, noting that the HSR project offers immense opportunities for inclusive growth and national integration.

On his part, Chief Host of the event and Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, noted that transportation remains an enabler of economic growth across jurisdictions.

According to him, the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu has accorded special priority to the transportation sector, resulting in the approval of massive projects nationwide.

He cited the recent Federal Executive Council’s (FEC) approval of the construction of one ultra-modern bus terminal across six geo-political zones in Nigeria, adding that the development will enhance public safety and the welfare of “our passengers.”

Alkali said the railway represents a platform for national integration and unity, presenting enormous market opportunities, adding that the Nigerian government is well positioned to provide leadership aimed at fast-tracking effective public-private partnerships and investment in the sector.

Also speaking, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, expressed optimism that the timely gathering will advance railway development across Nigeria and Africa, while opening new frontiers in trade, investment and industrial growth.

Explaining the synergy between the rail system and gas, the minister said Nigeria’s gas potential, being efficiently explored by the current administration, ensures reliable electricity along the rail infrastructure in alignment with Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda on sustainable energy and infrastructure development.

Also, the Director-General (DG) of Nigeria’s Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, said the event represents a “turning point” in the life of the nation as every serious government prioritises the railway sector as a pathway to poverty reduction and job creation.

He assured that the BPP stands in full alignment with Tinubu’s objective in delivering the Renewed Hope Agenda in the transportation sector, assuring that the bureau will do everything within its capacity to ensure “speedy approvals” and “accountability” while attracting foreign direct investment.

Meanwhile, speaking yesterday, while receiving in audience a delegation from VISA led by the Regional President for Central and Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMEA), Mr Tareq Muhmood, at the State House, Abuja, the Vice President said though painful, the ongoing reforms by the Tinubu’s administration were necessary and have begun to yield positive results in the economy.

He noted that “President Bola Tinubu is determined to change the face of our nation. Today, there is a great room for expansion in the Nigerian economy. Eight out of the 10 unicorns in Africa are from Nigeria.

“The economy has picked pace, we have crossed the rubicon and we are on a path of sustainable growth. The tax reforms are gaining traction, we are restoring discipline to the system and our foreign reserve is growing steadily”.

Shettima commended VISA’s growing interest in the Nigerian economy, particularly its partnership with indigenous Fintech companies and urged the company to leverage Nigeria’s huge unbanked population in its expansion drive across Africa.

He said digital payment systems are the future of electronic commercial transactions across Africa, highlighting its potential for entrenching transparency and checkmating corruption.

Earlier in his remark, Muhmood, praised Tinubu’s bold economic reforms, linking it to the recent growth experienced across diverse sectors of the economy.

He attributed the company’s renewed interest in the Nigerian economy to achievements recorded as a result of the Tinubu administration’s courageous reforms, particularly in the oil and gas sector, foreign exchange regime and tax administration, among others.

Muhmood announced the company’s intentions to increase its stake in the Nigerian economy and participate actively in programmes that impact directly on lives and livelihoods across different sectors.

Also present at the meeting were the Senior Vice President and Head of Western and Central Africa, Aminata Kane; Vice President and Head of West Africa, Andrew Uaboi, and Senior Director and Head of Government Affairs, Chidozie Arinze.

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