By Muhammad Mamman
The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has resolved to launch a major investigation into the railway projects initiated under the Muhammadu Buhari administration, citing concerns over accountability, project delivery and financing.
According to a resolution passed today, the upper chamber is to set up an ad-hoc committee within six weeks to scrutinise all contracts, loans and implementation practices tied to the rail sector under Buhari’s tenure. The committee is expected to hold public hearings and call in officials, contractors and stakeholders to give evidence.
Key issues earmarked for investigation include:
- The condition of rail infrastructure and whether construction standards have been met.
- The financing of major railway schemes, including foreign loans and their terms.
- The procurement and use of materials, and whether value for money has been achieved.
- Persistent delays, cost-overruns or abandonment of contracted works.
- Accountability of the ministries, departments and agencies involved, as well as the contractors and financiers.
The move comes amid growing public frustration at the slow pace of infrastructure delivery and concerns that national resources may have been mis-managed. While the Buhari administration made rail expansion a signature strand of its transport policy, several projects are still incomplete or pending major works.
In a statement, the Senate President emphasised that the investigation is essential to safeguarding public funds and restoring confidence in large-scale infrastructure investment. “We must leave no stone unturned in our pursuit of the truth,” he said.
As the audit begins, all eyes will now be on the list of projects selected for review, the evidence the committee uncovers, and the recommendations that will follow—potentially setting the tone for how Nigeria handles mega-projects going forward.
