Vice-President Kashim Shettima has said Nigeria must revive its railway system if it is to maintain its status as Africa’s leading logistics hub.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking in Abuja on Monday at the opening of the second international railway conference, he called on stakeholders to deepen collaboration and partnerships.
The VP noted that unlocking the opportunities in the railway sector requires deliberate effort. He explained that this vision aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s railway modernisation drive.
Shettima said, “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, 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.”
The vice-president added that recent initiatives, including the Kano–Maradi railway project, reflect this commitment.
He described the project as a strategic gateway for trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), stressing that modern rail systems are central to Nigeria’s long-term economic competitiveness.
