The Federal Government has announced plans to extend rail services from Abuja to Zaria, Kaduna, Kano, Daura and Katsina, a move it says will expand transportation opportunities and create new jobs for Nigerians.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Olufunsho Adebiyi, disclosed this on Friday at the maiden convocation ceremony of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology, NITT, in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Adebiyi said the Federal Government was making significant investments in transport infrastructure while urging graduates of the institute to acquire relevant skills that would enable them to benefit from emerging opportunities in the sector.
He said the planned rail expansion would connect Abuja with major cities in the North, announcing that passengers would be able to travel by train along the route from January next year.
“By January next year, you can join a train from Abuja to Kaduna, Zaria, Kano, Daura, and Katsina,” the permanent secretary said.
Adebiyi, who is also a former student of NITT, said the training he received at the institute in 1995, alongside other professional programmes, played an important role in his career development.
He commended NITT for its contribution to manpower development in the transportation sector through professional training, capacity building and research.
The permanent secretary also urged the graduands to position themselves for opportunities that would arise from ongoing and planned investments in the sector.
Adebiyi further commended the Director-General and Chief Executive of NITT, Bayero Salih Farah, for his leadership, describing him as respectful, committed, diligent, dedicated and hardworking.
He said continued investment in human capital and transport infrastructure would be essential to supporting the growth and efficiency of Nigeria’s transportation system.
