The Federal Ministry of Transportation has unequivocally denied reports circulating online about the imminent launch of a high-speed bullet train service between Lagos and Abuja. These reports, which claimed the train would drastically reduce travel time between the two major cities from 12 hours to a mere 2-3 hours, were deemed “fake and unfounded” by the ministry in an official rejoinder. The ministry clarified that the source of the misinformation was a statement issued by Yinka Idris, the Director of Operations of Geofocus Consortium, the company proposing the project. The ministry’s statement categorically refuted the claims made by Mr. Idris and emphasized that the project is far from being launched.
The ministry detailed the history of its interactions with Geofocus Consortium, tracing it back to a 2016 meeting where the company presented an unsolicited proposal for the Lagos-Abuja bullet train under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. A key aspect of the proposal was that Geofocus Consortium would provide 100% of the financing. However, the project’s progression stalled due to the consortium’s inability to provide proof of funds. In 2024, Geofocus Consortium submitted an Outline Business Case (OBC) to the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) for review and due diligence. The ICRC, in turn, requested a supporting letter from the consortium’s financiers as evidence of their ability to fund the project. This crucial requirement remains unmet.
The ministry stressed that the ICRC has not yet approved the OBC, primarily due to the lack of proof of funds. This financial backing is essential for the project to move forward and for a Full Business Case (FBC) to be submitted. The rejoinder pointedly stated that claims of completed feasibility studies and secured funding were “just in the imagination of the company.” The ministry emphasized that only after fulfilling the ICRC’s requirements, including demonstrating the availability of funds, would a memo be presented to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) for final approval. Therefore, the reports of an impending launch are premature and misleading.
The ministry publicly called on Geofocus Consortium to issue an apology, both to the ministry and to the Nigerian public, for disseminating inaccurate information. It urged Nigerians to be cautious of such misleading reports and to verify information before accepting it as factual. In a broader appeal to media outlets, the ministry advised them to seek clarification and verify information with relevant authorities before publishing, emphasizing the importance of responsible journalism and avoiding the spread of fake news. This call for accuracy underscores the potential harm caused by misinformation and the need for media outlets to uphold journalistic integrity.
The ministry, under the leadership of Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, the Honorable Minister of Transportation, reiterated its commitment to fulfilling its mandate within the transportation sector. It emphasized its dedication to advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, particularly as it pertains to transportation infrastructure development. The ministry’s statement positioned the alleged misinformation from Geofocus Consortium as a distraction from its ongoing efforts to improve Nigeria’s transportation network. It underscored its focus on delivering tangible results and contributing to the national development goals outlined by the President.
Finally, recognizing the importance of collaboration, the Federal Ministry of Transportation appealed for the cooperation of all stakeholders in the transportation sector. This call for collaborative efforts signifies the ministry’s recognition of the complex challenges inherent in infrastructure development and the need for a united approach to achieve success. The ministry’s rejoinder ultimately serves as a clarification of the current status of the Lagos-Abuja high-speed rail project, a caution against the spread of misinformation, and a reaffirmation of the ministry’s commitment to its mandate and the President’s development vision. It also emphasizes the importance of due process and transparency in infrastructure projects of this magnitude.
