More than one year after the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) promised to restore train services between Kano and Minna, the route remains inactive, raising concerns among commuters and businesses that depend on rail transportation.
In July 2025, NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, announced that the Kano–Minna train service would resume before the end of December 2025 as part of efforts to revive rail transportation and boost economic activities across northern Nigeria.
The NRC had stated that the reactivation would facilitate the movement of passengers and goods along the Kano–Zaria–Kaduna–Minna corridor, while also supporting trade and regional connectivity.
The corporation further pledged to rehabilitate obsolete railway equipment, revive train shuttle operations through partnerships with state governments, and strengthen infrastructure within the Northern District.
However, as of July 2026, the Kano–Minna train service has yet to resume operations, despite the expiration of the timeline earlier announced by the corporation.
The delay has continued to generate concerns among residents, traders, and regular rail users who had anticipated the return of services on the strategic route.
The NRC is yet to provide an updated timeline for the commencement of operations on the Kano–Minna rail corridor.