The Transportation Minister Senator Said Ahmed Alkali has set a broad 3- point agenda for the years ahead.
He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the Ministry-facilitated Stakeholders Conference in Abuja Monday.
“As Minister of Transportation, I wish to emphasize three priorities for the coming years:
Make the Railway an Economic Tool, Not Just an Asset: The focus must shift from construction alone to ensuring rail corridors serve agriculture, industry, mining, and commerce;
Facilitate Securing Sustainable Financing: Government will continue to provide leadership, but the future lies in public–private partnerships, port-rail concessions, and land value capture around stations and,
Empower People Through Rail: From engineers to artisans, station managers to security staff, the railway must be a platform for skills, jobs, and inclusive growth. Institutions like the Federal University of Transportation Daura and the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology Zaria will be supported to prepare the next generation of railway professionals.
Shedding more light, the Minister stated, “Distinguished Delegates, railways are not the work of government alone. We need the private sector to see opportunity and invest. We need states and cities to integrate urban and intercity networks. We need development partners to continue supporting us with financing and expertise. Above all, we need the Nigerian people, our communities, to protect these assets and make them their own.
Alkali stated that in order to give credence to the foregoing reality, the railways development and services has been moved from the Exclusive list to the concurrent list through successful Constitutional Alteration. He believes this development will create opportunities for states and private sector participation to maximise the potentials of railway transport as enabler of economic growth and connector of regional hopes.
“Let us envision a Nigeria where:
Our ports are seamlessly connected to factories by rail;
Our highways are relieved of endless trucks;
Our youth are employed building and running trains;
Our neighbours see Nigeria as the hub of African rail logistics.
The Minister stressed that this is not a mere dream but “a future within our grasp if we work together. Ladies and Gentlemen, the railway is the track of Nigeria’s future linking our economy, uniting our people, and securing our place in Africa and the world.
“I, therefore urge the delegates and the facilitating team to make the conference engaging to achieve the objectives of coming up with new railways operational techniques, funding options and platforms for collaboration to place the railways on top of socio-economic agenda of states and nations within the continent.
“I wish you successful deliberations and pleasant stay in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.