President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved a groundbreaking $3 billion investment for the full-scale reconstruction and modernization of the Eastern Rail Line, marking the most significant federal infrastructure commitment to the South-East in Nigeria’s history,an emanating report has revealed.
The ambitious project—set to stretch from Port Harcourt through Aba, Enugu, Makurdi, Jos, Bauchi, Gombe, and terminate in Maiduguri—has long been neglected despite being a vital economic artery for over 60 million Nigerians across the South-East and North-East corridors. Tinubu’s announcement signals a dramatic policy shift aimed at bridging decades of regional infrastructure inequality.
Federal Ministry of Transportation officials confirmed on July 23, 2025, that the Eastern Narrow-Gauge Railway will be fully upgraded to standard gauge, linking commercial hubs and agrarian belts long cut off from modern transport systems. The rail line spans over 1,400 kilometers and is expected to create more than 150,000 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase.
This development follows Tinubu’s recent infrastructure-focused drive, which saw the completion of critical segments of the Lagos–Ibadan rail corridor and the ongoing Kano–Kaduna–Abuja standard gauge in progress. However, this marks the first time any administration has budgeted over $1 billion solely for a South-East transport project, drawing praise even from political critics.
Stakeholders in Aba, Enugu, and Owerri welcomed the news with cautious optimism, citing long-standing distrust in federal execution timelines. Business owners say if delivered, the project could slash transport costs, open new export channels, and revive dormant industrial zones in Abia and Enugu.
Transport Minister Senator Saidu Alkali disclosed that preliminary work, including right-of-way clearance and environmental impact assessments, has commenced. He added that the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has been shortlisted for bidding, with construction set to begin by Q4 2025.
Policy analysts believe Tinubu’s move is both infrastructural and political—seeking to realign the South-East with the centre by responding to calls for inclusion. If completed, the project could redefine mobility, trade, and federal trust across Nigeria’s long-divided zones.