The CEO of De Sadel Consortium, Mr. Samuel Uko, has announced that Nigeria is on the brink of a major transformation with the introduction of a high-speed rail project, saying it is a cornerstone of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Uko, disclosed this at the closing ceremony of the just concluded International Railway Conference on Tuesday in Abuja, noting that the project goes far beyond building a modern rail line.
“The high-speed rail is not just coming with trains. It is coming with industrial cities and opportunities for the young generation. It’s a futuristic project designed for the future of Nigeria,” he explained.
According to him, the project which is structured as a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), is expected to cover 1,600 kilometers across 20 states, linking four major cities: Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt.
Uko emphasised that the speed rail will serve both middle- and lower-class travelers, making travel across the country more accessible and efficient.
Currently, De Sadel has secured nearly 90% approval ($60 billion investment) for the first phase, out of a total sum of 200bn dollars which is the entire sum of investment needed for the entire project, with groundbreaking scheduled for the first quarter of next year, 2026. The first phase is expected to be completed within 36 months.
“High-speed rail runs either through tunnels or bridges. In our case, everything will be new, constructed on bridges. This makes it both faster and easier to build,” Uko noted.
On the economic potential, Uko expressed optimism and said, “Initially, our projection was a 20-year investment plan. Right now, it’s less than 10 years. If just 5% of Nigerians make 10 trips a year at $100 per ticket, the project will pay back in under a decade.”
He likened the ambition to Aliko Dangote’s refinery, once doubted but now a reality. “Nigerians are intelligent people who want the best. This project will prove that we can achieve what many thought impossible,” he said.
Uko expressed deep appreciation for the government’s support, adding that the administration’s commitment has surprised even stakeholders.
“This has never happened on the African continent before. The world is watching to see what Nigeria achieves in the next two years.”
President Tinubu is expected to invite world leaders to the groundbreaking ceremony, while Uko urged Nigerians to see the project as their own: “This is not just for the company—it’s for Nigerians, for the people, and for the future,” he emphasised.
