“The first phase of China’s state-of-the-art light rail project in Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, was inaugurated on Thursday by President Bola Tinubu, marking a new chapter in the fight against traffic congestion and delays in commuting that have long hindered the country’s economic prowess.
The transformative Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line project, undertaken by the China Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC) in 2021, spans 26.5 kilometers and comprises eight stations.
Speaking at the handover ceremony in Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State, Mr. Tinubu described the project as a “dream realized, the result of years of hard work and dedication from successive governments.”
The president then took the inaugural ride on the LRMT Red Line train and also witnessed the contract signing ceremony for the construction of the project’s second phase, which was jointly completed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority and CCECC.
In December 2022, CCECC completed the first phase of the LRMT Blue Line project, a 13-kilometer segment aimed at complementing the entire LRMT initiative.
Cui Jianchun, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, stated that the project embodies a people-centered initiative and called on the two friendly countries to strengthen their partnership with “resilience to overcome challenges.”
“All stations are operational and ready to receive passengers,” said Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos, during the ceremony. He added that the project’s completion heralds a new dawn for transportation in the state, promising to provide a fast, reliable, and comfortable commuting experience for millions of residents.”
