April 10, (THEWILL) — The Federal Government has taken a decisive step toward advancing its bold infrastructure transformation agenda as it inaugurates a high-level technical committee to review the proposed $200 billion Integrated Gas, Power, and High-Speed Rail Project, aimed at revolutionising Nigeria’s transportation network, strengthening energy security, and deepening national integration.
Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, who inaugurated the committee in Abuja, said the proposed project represents a strategic national undertaking designed to reposition Nigeria as a major hub for energy-driven industrialisation and modern transport systems.
A statement signed on Thursday by the Head, Information & Public Relations at the office of SGF, Chris Ugwuegbulam, explained that the multi-phase initiative integrates gas development, large-scale power generation and transmission, and a 4,000-kilometre high-speed rail network connecting major economic corridors across the country, including Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt.
According to him, the project is expected to significantly reduce travel time between major cities, boost industrial productivity, enhance energy availability, and promote economic unity across the federation.
“The proposed project, estimated at Two Hundred Billion United States Dollars (US$200 billion), is designed to integrate critical sectors of the economy. It will strengthen energy security, stimulate industrial growth, and revolutionise transportation across Nigeria,” Akume stated.
He added that the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring that the proposal undergoes a rigorous and transparent evaluation process to determine its viability and alignment with national development priorities.
The SGF said the technical committee has been mandated to critically examine all relevant documentation, verify claims made by the project proponents, and assess technical, legal, financial, and environmental aspects of the proposal.
He further urged members of the committee to discharge their duties with professionalism, patriotism, and strict adherence to due process, stressing the importance of stakeholder engagement and international best practices.
The committee is chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs Office, and includes Permanent Secretaries from the Federal Ministries of Transportation, Petroleum Resources, Finance, Justice, and Environment.
Other members are drawn from key institutions, including the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Department of State Services (DSS), and the Debt Management Office (DMO).
Also represented are the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, the Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, and the Economic Monitoring and Research Department of the Office of the SGF, which serves as the secretariat.
In his presentation, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of De-Sadel Nigeria Limited, Mr. Samuel Ukoh, described the project as a transformative initiative capable of redefining Nigeria’s transport and energy architecture.
He said the proposed 4,000-kilometre dual-track high-speed rail network would reduce inter-city travel time by up to 75 per cent and significantly improve connectivity across the country.
Ukoh added that the first phase of the project would focus on key economic corridors linking Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt, before expanding nationwide to cover all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
He further disclosed that the integrated system would also generate about 3,500 megawatts of electricity to power the rail infrastructure and support broader industrial activities.
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