A Public Affairs Analyst, Alhaji Mahmud K. Hassan, has called for the urgent rehabilitation of the Zaria–Funtua–Kaura Namoda railway line, describing it as a strategic step toward revitalising economic activities in Nigeria’s North-West region.
Hassan said the restoration of the rail corridor would significantly reduce transportation costs, enhance trade, and stimulate job creation across key commercial hubs. He noted that the current overreliance on road transport amid rising fuel prices and security challenges has placed a heavy burden on businesses and commuters.
Lamenting the decline of rail infrastructure in the region, the analyst recalled that in the past, an efficient railway system contributed immensely to improved living standards and economic prosperity. According to him, rail transport offers a safer and more cost effective alternative for moving both goods and passengers.
“Rail transportation comes with lower risks and wider economic benefits. Its revival will reconnect markets, ease logistics, and support regional integration,” he said.
Hassan further stressed that beyond rehabilitation, authorities must establish a sustainable maintenance framework to prevent the deterioration that plagued the system in the past.
He also advocated for the revival of the Kano–Nguru railway line in Yobe State, noting that it holds strong potential for boosting socio economic activities, especially in light of increasing road transport costs and insecurity along major highways.
Highlighting the economic potential of rail, Hassan recalled that agricultural produce and mineral resources such as gum Arabic and potash were previously transported efficiently via rail to processing centres, enhancing productivity and trade.
He urged the government and relevant stakeholders to prioritise rail infrastructure as a catalyst for economic recovery and long term growth in northern Nigeria.
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