Lagos-Abuja bullet train to cut travel time to three hours

With the Lagos-Abuja High-Speed Bullet Train gaining traction and cutting the 12-hour journey time between the two cities to only two to three hours, Nigeria's transportation industry is poised for a revolution.

In a statement provided to reporters on Tuesday, Engineer Yinka Idris, Director of Operations at Geofocus Consortium, called the initiative a turning point in Nigeria's history.

Idris praised the administration of President Bola Tinubu for putting infrastructure first and encouraging PPPs to boost the economy.

Idris claims that the bullet train will offer a quicker, safer, and more effective option than driving.

According to Idris, the project was in line with Tinubu's goal of using the experience of the private sector to provide top-notch infrastructure without placing an undue strain on public coffers.

"Travelers between Lagos and Abuja currently face reduced productivity, safety concerns, and long hours in traffic," he stated.

According to him, the initiative will greatly facilitate travel, boost commerce, and better the general business climate.

Ten smart cities, each with 10,000 dwelling units, will be constructed along the rail corridor as part of the project.

He added, "A separate power plant will also be built to support the train and the surrounding infrastructure."

According to Idris, thousands of employment are anticipated to be created both during and after the Lagos-Abuja bullet train's development.

He claimed that the program was in line with Tinubu's pledge to use significant infrastructure projects to lower unemployment and promote economic growth.

"The project now awaits approvals from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) before construction begins, as feasibility studies have been finished and proof of funds secured," he stated.

The building phase is anticipated to last 48–52 months, according to Idris.

According to him, if the project is completed, it will establish itself as the biggest PPP-driven project in Nigeria's history and serve as a model for transport infrastructure in Africa.

In addition to transportation, Idris claimed that the bullet train will prolong the life of highways, lessen traffic, and cut carbon emissions.

According to him, this would be a significant step in the development of environmentally friendly and sustainable infrastructure.

"Under President Tinubu's leadership, Nigerians can look forward to a future of smooth travel, increased economic opportunities, and an improved quality of life as we get closer to realizing this dream," he continued.