Abuja
Tinubu Government, Two Firms Set To Construct $60bn Speed Rail In Nigeria
Tinubu Government, Two Firms Set To Construct $60bn Speed Rail In Nigeria
Tinubu government, two firms set to construct $60bn speed rail in Nigeria. According to him, the project will connect Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.
The federal government, De-Sadel Nigeria Ltd. and China Liancai Petroleum Investment Holdings Limited are set to commence construction of a 4000km high-speed rail across six states of the federation.
This was disclosed during the presentation of the $60 billion proof-of-funds to secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), George Akume, by the two firms in Abuja on Tuesday.
The occasion was attended by the minister of transportation, Sa’idu Alkali and the minister of state for petroleum resources (gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, as well as a representative of the attorney-general of the federation, among others.
Speaking at the event, the chief executive of De-Sadel Nigeria Limited, Samuel Uko, said that the company had presented an official proof-of-funds from the Asian Development Investment Bank to the federal government for the first phase of the project.
According to him, the project will connect Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, covering about 1,600 kilometres at the initial stage.
“This administration has given us almost 90 per cent of the necessary approvals. We have now submitted the proof-of-funds through our financial and technical partners.
”Construction will be in phases. Once we complete the sections, Nigerians will begin to enjoy the train service before the entire 36-month schedule is completed,” Mr Uko said.
He stated that the rail system would require substantial power supply, which in turn would depend on the availability of gas, hence the linkage between the project and the oil and gas sector.
In his remarks, the SGF, while describing the meeting with the investors as ‘stimulating’, said that the proof-of-funds document, which had been submitted, would undergo scrutiny to confirm its amount and authenticity.
“We do not doubt them, but it is standard procedure for government to verify large financial commitments.
”President Bola Tinubu’s administration has made reforms to ease the cost of doing business, and if investors are ready, Nigeria is ready,” Mr Akume said.
The minister of transportation also said that the project aligned with the ministry’s mandate to provide safe, secure and affordable transportation as well as with the president’s directive to attract foreign investors.
Firms Set To Construct $60bn Speed Rail In Nigeria
On his part, Mr Ekpo assured the investors of adequate gas supply for the project, noting that Nigeria had proven reserves of 210 trillion cubic feet of gas, with an additional 600 trillion cubic feet in deep-sea deposits.
“Gas is a precursor for this project, and investors will not face shortages,” he said.
Director-general of Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Jobson Ewalefoh, said that the submission of proof-of-funds was a mandatory requirement for the projects.
“They have now presented $60 billion in proof-of-funds from China. The next step is for us to review and validate their claims to ensure the project’s viability.
“This is in line with the president’s vision that Nigeria is open for serious business,” Mr Ewalefoh said.
Obi, Amaechi, Others Meet In Abuja, Discuss Nigeria’s Democratic Future
Rotimi Amaechi, former minister of transportation, on Saturday hosted Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), and other opposition leaders at his Abuja residence.
Victor Umeh, senator representing Anambra central, Achike Udenwa, former governor of Anambra; and Victor Oganku were also at the meeting.
TheCable understands that discussions by the politicians centred on strengthening the opposition front and Nigeria’s democratic future.
Amaechi, Obi and former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar are members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and are eyeing the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former minister contested the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary and came second behind President Bola Tinubu, who won the party’s ticket.
In March, Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the ADC, said the party was working to adopt a consensus approach in selecting its presidential candidate for the 2027 poll.
Abdullahi said the party had the options of direct primaries and consensus for electing its presidential candidate, adding that indirect primaries were “no longer on the table”, as stipulated in the amended Electoral Act.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, Amaechi said he has positioned himself as a viable contender for the next presidential race on the ADC platform.
Amaechi rejected the call for a consensus arrangement within the ADC ahead of the 2027 poll, insisting that aspirants must be allowed to test their popularity at the ballot.
Peter Obi
He said Nigerians are yearning for competent leadership to address economic hardship and insecurity.
The former governor of Rivers, however, said he would support Abubakar if the former vice-president emerges as the party’s standard-bearer for the 2027 presidential poll.
FG Warns Against Illegal Use Of Ambassador Title, Fake Diplomatic Identities
President Bola Tinubu-led federal government has warned against the rising abuse of diplomatic titles in Nigeria, particularly the illegal use of the designation “Ambassador” by unauthorised individuals and groups.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, in Abuja.
“Some of the persons conferred illegally with the Ambassadorial titles unfortunately parade themselves as such in official communications and even in engagements with foreign embassies in Nigeria which has caused serious embarrassment to the federal government.
“The Ministry warns that individuals parading themselves as “Ambassadors” based on such deceitful conferment are engaging in impersonation, which is a criminal offence and therefore strongly cautions all persons involved in such illegalities or parading themselves as Ambassadors to desist forthwith,” the statement said.
The government also raised alarm over the use of fake diplomatic passports, identity cards, vehicle number plates, and other materials bearing the insignia of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by impostors.
Tinubu
According to the statement, some of those involved in the practice go as far as parading themselves as ambassadors in official correspondence and in dealings with foreign missions in Nigeria, a development it said has embarrassed the country.
It, however, stressed that only the president and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces has the constitutional authority to appoint and accredit ambassadors for Nigeria, adding that no individual, group, or organisation has the power to confer diplomatic titles.
NPF Debunks False Terror Alert In FCT, Arrests Suspect For Incitement
False terror alert in FCT,. The Nigeria Police Force wishes to categorically debunk a viral video circulating on social media alleging an ongoing terrorist attack in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. The Force states unequivocally that no such incident occurred, and the claims contained in the video are entirely false, misleading, and malicious.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the video was deliberately curated using misleading footage sourced from online platforms to construct a false narrative aimed at causing panic, inciting public fear, and undermining public confidence in the security architecture of the nation’s capital.
In furtherance of its commitment to maintaining public order, operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested one Pam Joseph in connection with the creation and dissemination of the false content. The arrest followed credible intelligence and digital forensic investigations linking the suspect to the origin and circulation of the video.
The Force reiterates that while citizens have the right to freedom of expression, such rights do not extend to the deliberate spread of misinformation capable of threatening public peace and national security. Members of the public are therefore advised to verify information before sharing and to refrain from engaging in activities that may incite fear or disorder.
Police
The suspect is currently in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to safeguarding public order and national security, and will continue to monitor digital spaces and take decisive action against individuals who engage in the dissemination of false or misleading information.
DCP ANTHONY OKON PLACID psc(+) mni
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
10th April, 2026
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