Federal Government Of Nigeria |
FG to extend Abuja rail services to Zaria, Kaduna, Kano, Daura and Katsina by next January, creating jobs.
The Federal Government has announced plans to extend rail services from Abuja to five northern cities—Zaria, Kaduna, Kano, Daura and Katsina—by January next year. Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Olufunsho Adebiyi, made the disclosure on Friday during the maiden convocation ceremony of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT) in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Adebiyi stated that the expansion would generate fresh employment opportunities for Nigerians and form part of the government’s broader investment in transport infrastructure. “By January next year, you can join a train from Abuja to Kaduna, Zaria, Kano, Daura, and Katsina,” he told the gathering.
He urged the graduating students to acquire relevant skills to take advantage of emerging opportunities in the sector. Adebiyi, himself an alumnus of NITT from the 1995 set, credited the institute’s training for contributing significantly to his career progression. He also praised the Director-General and Chief Executive of NITT, Bayero Salih Farah, for his leadership and commitment.
As part of the event, Adebiyi announced automatic employment for the two overall best graduating students and offered them scholarships for degree programmes. He called on members of the National Assembly to support similar scholarship initiatives, citing the example of House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who has sponsored more than 200 students.
NITT Director-General Farah described the maiden convocation as a milestone following the institute’s expansion into National Board for Technical Education-accredited programmes in 2021. The institution now offers National Innovation Diploma, National Skills Qualification, National Diploma and Higher National Diploma courses focused on transport and logistics.
Over 200 graduates received certificates and diplomas, while those from the National Vocational Certificate programme were also given starter kits. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including representatives of the Emir of Zazzau and the Vice-Chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University.