Abuja Light Rail

Commuter rail system in Abuja, Nigeria

Abuja Rail Mass Transit

Overview
Locale| Federal Capital Territory
Transit type| Regional rail
Number of lines| 2
Line number| Yellow line, Blue Line
Number of stations| 12
Operation
Began operation| 12 July 2018; 7 years ago (2018-07-12)
Technical
System length| 42.5 km (26.4 mi)
Track gauge| 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge
| System map

Abuja Rail Mass Transit (commonly known as Abuja Light Rail) is a regional rail transport system in the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria. It was the first rapid transit system in Nigeria and the second such system in sub-saharan Africa (after Addis Ababa Light Rail). The first phase of the project connects the city center to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, stopping at the Abuja-Kaduna Railway station in Idu. The Abuja Metro Line was launched on 12 July 2018[1][2] and a three-trains-per-day service opened for passengers the following week.[3] Passenger services on the line were suspended in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was reopened May 29, 2024,[4] with four trips per day on both lines, and all the stations on both lines fully operational.[5]

## History

[edit]

A regional rail system serving Abuja had begun planning in 1997 but was delayed due to funding issues. CCECC Nigeria was awarded a contract for the construction of the first two phases, known as Lots 1 and 3, in May 2007.[6]

The 42.5 km (26.4 mi) first phase has two lines and 12 stations opened in July 2018, connecting Abuja city centre with the international airport via the Lagos–Kano Standard Gauge Railway at Idu. The projected cost of the entire proposed 290 km (180 mi) network, to be developed in six phases, was US$824 million, constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), with 60% of the cost funded by loans from the Exim Bank of China.[7] In fact, $840 million was spent on Lot 1 and 3, while $500 million was financed by a 2.5% p.a. loan from an Exim Bank of China. Repayment of the loan commenced in March 2020.[8]

In early 2020, passenger service on the line was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and as of 2022[update] had not resumed.[9]

The service has restarted in May 2024.[10] While inspecting the project in January 2024, FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, expressed concerns regarding the 'design quality' of the project:[11]

> From what I have seen, the designs are very poor. Whoever may have approved the designs is unfair to Nigerians.

> I’ve told CCECC that this kind of design is not even acceptable in their own country and if I had known before now, I would not have promised Mr. President that it would be ready.

> The conceptualisation is not the best, but again what do you do? This is what is on the ground. We have to see how we can finish it on time.

In April 2024, Wike announced that the project was 97% complete, and was set to be re-launched in May.[12][13] The minister later added that passengers of the metro will not be charged during its first two months of operation.[14][15][16][17] During the official re-launch of the project, the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu, extended the period for free travel until the end of 2024.[18][19]

## Operations

[edit]

Idu Station Terminal outside Idu Station route Idu Station platform

Upon opening in 2018, only the section between Abuja Metro Station and the Airport was operational, with an intermediate station at Idu. The remaining nine stations were originally scheduled to begin operations in 2020.

The rolling stock used for this line initially consisted of only three diesel rail coaches. A further three were scheduled to be delivered in mid-2020.[20]

From the opening, the rail line operated on a significantly reduced timetable in comparison to other worldwide light rail systems; with three daily departures from Idu to Abuja Metro Station, with two running the full length to the airport, on weekdays only.[21] The delivery of further rolling stock was anticipated to provide services every thirty minutes.

## Network

[edit]

The first part of the network was commissioned on July 12, 2018, and three stations opened in this first phase.[22]

### Yellow line

[edit]

The Yellow line travels from Abuja's Central Business District to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

Stations  | Location

|

Abuja Metro  | 9°03′02″N 7°28′19″E﻿ / ﻿9.0505°N 7.4719°E﻿ / 9.0505; 7.4719
Stadium  | 9°02′45″N 7°27′06″E﻿ / ﻿9.0459°N 7.4517°E﻿ / 9.0459; 7.4517
Kukwaba I  | 9°02′25″N 7°26′28″E﻿ / ﻿9.0402°N 7.4410°E﻿ / 9.0402; 7.4410
Kukwaba II  | 9°01′50″N 7°25′21″E﻿ / ﻿9.0306°N 7.4226°E﻿ / 9.0306; 7.4226
Wupa  | 9°01′29″N 7°23′42″E﻿ / ﻿9.0247°N 7.3950°E﻿ / 9.0247; 7.3950
Idu  | 9°02′48″N 7°20′32″E﻿ / ﻿9.0466°N 7.3421°E﻿ / 9.0466; 7.3421
Bassanjiwa  | 9°00′49″N 7°16′57″E﻿ / ﻿9.0136°N 7.2824°E﻿ / 9.0136; 7.2824
Airport  | 9°00′22″N 7°16′19″E﻿ / ﻿9.0062°N 7.2720°E﻿ / 9.0062; 7.2720

### Blue Line

[edit]

The Blue Line will travel from Idu to Kubwa.

Stations  | Location

|

Idu  | 9°02′48″N 7°20′32″E﻿ / ﻿9.0466°N 7.3421°E﻿ / 9.0466; 7.3421
Gwagwa  | 9°05′24″N 7°17′07″E﻿ / ﻿9.0901°N 7.2852°E﻿ / 9.0901; 7.2852
Deidei  | 9°06′22″N 7°17′14″E﻿ / ﻿9.1061°N 7.2872°E﻿ / 9.1061; 7.2872
Kagini  | 9°07′28″N 7°17′32″E﻿ / ﻿9.1245°N 7.2922°E﻿ / 9.1245; 7.2922
Gbazango  | 9°09′13″N 7°18′40″E﻿ / ﻿9.1536°N 7.3110°E﻿ / 9.1536; 7.3110

## Future expansion

[edit]

A network totalling 290 km (180 mi) is proposed, divided into six phases or 'lots'.[23] Lots 1 and 3 have finished construction.

* Lot 2 is from Gwagwa via Transportation Centre (Metro Station) to Nyanya/Karu
* Lot 4 is from Kuje to Karshi with the remaining legs of the Transitway Line 2
* Lot 5 from Kubwa via Bwari to Suleja
* Lot 6 from Airport via Kuje and Gwagwalada to Dobi.

## See also

[edit]

* Lagos Rail Mass Transit
* Transport in Nigeria
* Rail transport in Nigeria

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Abuja Light Rail: Buhari Launches, Inspects Airport Terminal". Retrieved 2018-07-12.
2. ^ "Abuja Rail Mass Transit takes off Thursday after 11 years". Businessday NG. 2018-07-10. Retrieved 2020-03-08.
3. ^ Achirga, Abraham (18 July 2018). "Light rail line in Nigeria's capital opens to passengers". Reuters. Retrieved 2018-12-25.
4. ^ "Abuja metro services relaunched".
5. ^ Abuja Metro is now live! #abuja #abujanigeria #nigeria #abujayoutuber #abujacity. Retrieved 2025-04-22 - via www.youtube.com.
6. ^ "Abuja Light Rail System, Abuja, Nigeria". Railway Technology. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
7. ^ "First phase of Abuja light rail opens". International Railway Journal. 13 July 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
8. ^ "After Just 2 Years, Abuja Multi-Billion Naira Metro Rail Rots Away - Daily Trust". dailytrust.com. 24 April 2022. Retrieved 2023-09-07.
9. ^ "After Just 2 Years, Abuja Multi-Billion Naira Metro Rail Rots Away". Daily Trust. 24 April 2022. Retrieved 27 September 2022.
10. ^ "Abuja light rail to begin soon as FCTA assures residents of adequate security". 21 September 2023.
11. ^ Agbo, Emmanuel (12 January 2024). "Abuja train design subpar but to be completed in May – Wike". Premium Times. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
12. ^ Obiowo, Caleb (2024-04-06). "Wike announces 97% completion of Abuja light rail project". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2024-04-15.
13. ^ Ajimotokan, Olawale (2024-04-06). "Abuja Light Rail Reaches 97% Completion, Set To Be Inaugurated In May". Arise News. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
14. ^ Akpan, Samuel (2024-05-23). "Just in: Abuja metro rail to operate free for two months, says Wike". Per Second News. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
15. ^ Shaibu, Nathaniel (2024-05-23). "Abuja Metro Rail to operate free for two months". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
16. ^ Babarinsa, Sola (2024-05-23). "Commuters to enjoy two-month free rides on Abuja metro rail". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
17. ^ Nigeria, News Agency Of (2024-05-23). "President Tinubu approves 2 month free ride on Abuja Metro Line - Wike". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-05-23.
18. ^ Igwe, Ignatius (29 May 2024). "Tinubu Makes Abuja Light Rail Free Till December". Channels TV.
19. ^ Opanuga, Jimisayo (29 May 2024). "Tinubu extends free ride on Abuja Metro Rail till end of 2024". The Guardian (Nigeria).
20. ^ "Nigeria: China to Supply Three Abuja Light Rail Coaches Mid 2020". allAfrica. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
21. ^ "How Abuja rail line launched by President Buhari works". Premium Times. 17 July 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2020.
22. ^ "Buhari to commission $823.5m Abuja light rail on Thursday". Retrieved 2018-07-11.
23. ^ "Why expansion of Abuja light rail may take longer time than expected". Business Day. 2 February 2020. Retrieved 15 March 2020.

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