Amaechi’s Infrastructure Pivot: $2B Railway vs. ₦15T Coastal Highway—What’s the Strategic Choice?
Rotimi Amaechi, former Nigerian Minister of Transportation, stands at the center of a heated policy debate. In 2020, his administration approved a $1.96 billion contract to build a 284 km rail line connecting Kano to Maradi in Niger Republic, a landlocked neighbor with a GDP of around $19.5 billion, making the rail cost approximately 10% of Niger’s economy.
Currency-agile estimates for Nigeria’s GDP, now at around $243 billion after rebasing, make the railway cost less than 1% of Nigeria’s own economy.
In contrast, the proposed Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway, spanning 700 km across nine states is estimated at ₦15.6 trillion (~$11–13 billion). This mega-project has raised serious concerns over environmental impact, especially across wetlands and biodiversity hotspots like the Edumanom Forest Reserve.
Amaechi has now stated he would cancel the highway if elected president, prioritizing economically justifiable projects like the Kano–Maradi rail line. His stance has sparked debate over Nigeria’s development strategy. Critics argue highways create domestic connectivity, while proponents of the rail highlight strategic economic returns from trade facilitation. Supporters view the railway as a trade catalyst with Niger, whereas others warn against sacrificing national development for international ventures.
In summary, the question remains: will Nigeria invest in regional integration or prioritize internal development? This clash between rail and highway signals a deeper conversation about infrastructure, fiscal responsibility, and the nation’s development vision.
