The Nigerian Senate don officially resume full investigation into the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano railway line, more than ten years after the first train start operation, as complaints over poor service, old infrastructure and falling passenger numbers continue to rise.
The renewed probe follow concerns from lawmakers say the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) don fail to properly maintain the rail line, wey once be pride of Nigeria rail modernisation project.
The ad-hoc committee, wey Senate first set up for November last year but pause due to funding wahala, don now resume work. The committee go investigate everything about the project — from contracts and funding to maintenance and daily operations.
Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi Central share him personal experience for plenary, say recent journey wey suppose take one hour take over three hours because coaches don old and tracks don wear out.
“This na Nigerian tragedy,” Ningi talk, adding say passenger number don crash badly — from about 10,000 passengers daily when dem launch the line to less than 1,000 passengers per shuttle today. According to am, revenue don also drop sharply, and the matter suppose be treated as national emergency.
The Abuja–Kaduna railway, completed in 2015 and built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) with Chinese loans, was once praised as symbol of modern rail transport in Nigeria.
But over the years, the line don suffer poor maintenance, vandalism, derailments and bandit attacks. The most recent derailment happen for August 2025 near Asham, further raising safety concerns.
Chairman of Senate Committee on Transport, Senator Adamu Aliero, describe the rail line as an “eyesore” and say urgent action dey needed to restore am.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio steal the show during the session when e use humour knock the railway performance.
“Even bicycle — even keke fast pass Abuja–Kaduna train,” Akpabio yarn, wey make lawmakers laugh but still underline the serious failure of the project.
Akpabio also demand accountability, saying every kobo spent on the railway must be checked properly.
The Senate don formally inaugurate the ad-hoc committee, chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, and give dem six weeks to review contracts, maintenance records, finances and operations, and submit recommendations to fix safety, reliability and service delivery.
For many commuters, Akpabio comment reflect real-life experience, as passengers complain of long delays, overcrowding and irregular schedules, forcing many to abandon the train for buses and road transport.
Experts warn say if government no act fast, neglect of the railway fit scare investors and weaken public trust in major infrastructure projects.
As the Senate probe begin in full, Nigerians dey hope say the Abuja–Kaduna railway go finally move from symbol of neglect to example of accountability and efficiency.
