FG Unveils 360km/h Lagos-Maiduguri Super-Fast Rail Plan

(Train. Photo by Nigeria Stories)

The Federal Government is planning to build a super-fast rail system from Lagos to Maiduguri that will travel at about 360 kilometres per hour.

The permanent secretary for transportation announced the plan, saying trains would make the journey in a few hours, so people wouldn't need to drive on bad roads anymore.

Beyond the high-speed rail, the government has several other transport projects in the works.

A new Federal University in Daura is being set up to train people for jobs in transport.

The first graduates will finish next year.

The government also approved a nationwide transport data system that will track vehicles, drivers and passengers.

Every motor park will have a standard manifest showing passenger information and destinations, so authorities can quickly identify people in case of accidents.

Vehicle licence plates will become computerised, making it easier to catch traffic violators.

Driver's licences won't be permanent either break traffic rules and yours gets revoked.

Standardised bus terminals are coming too, starting with six across the country.

These will have waiting areas with screens, police stations, mechanic shops, restaurants and toilets.

Before vehicles leave these terminals, they'll be checked to make sure they're safe to drive.

The government is also tightening rules on who can run a transport company.

You'll need a proper licence from the Federal Road Safety Corps and must prove you're serious and committed before you're allowed to operate.

Break the rules and lose your licence.

Light rail projects are approved for Kano, Kaduna and Lagos, with more planned for other state capitals.

The plan is to connect road, rail and water transport so Nigerians have real choices about how they travel instead of being forced onto bad roads.