Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has emphasized the strategic importance of the Kano-Maradi railway project to Nigeria’s food security, describing mobility as a core element in the agricultural supply chain.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise program on Saturday, Opeifa explained that linking Nigeria to Maradi in the Niger Republic aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which encourages connectivity with landlocked countries to unlock their economic potential.
“From the literature I’ve read, the food security for Nigeria and West Africa in cereal and livestock is tied to Maradi,” he said. “So, you can see the reasoning behind linking Kano to Maradi.”
According to Opeifa, logistics cannot be effective without mobility, and without logistics, food security becomes unachievable. “Mobility is at the center of food security, and that’s what the Kano-Maradi — which will now be Kano to Kaduna, Kaduna to Abuja, Abuja to Lagos — will represent,” he stated.
Opeifa added that the Federal Government is redrawing the country’s rail infrastructure map to connect major cities and enhance movement across the country. With the rail sector now moved to the concurrent list, states are free to seek grants and develop their own rail systems.
He also pointed out that local communities are now being actively engaged to protect rail infrastructure across Nigeria.
“A lot of people don’t understand what the Kano-Maradi project really means — they only hear Maradi. But it’s much more than that,” he said.
What you should know
The Kano-Maradi rail project is not just about linking Nigeria to the Niger Republic. It’s a strategic investment in food security, ensuring seamless transport of agricultural goods across West Africa, while also opening up economic and trade opportunities for Nigeria.
