In a momentous event heralding a new era of transportation in Lagos, President Tinubu, accompanied by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, graced the highly anticipated inauguration and commissioning of the 37 Kilometer Lagos Red Line Train project in Ikeja.
The 37 Kilometer North South rail route which will run from Agbado in Ogun state to Marina with 13 stations at Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, MMIA International, MMIA Domestic, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba, Ebute meta, Iddo, Ebute Ero and Marina is expected to facilitate 37 trips daily, accommodating approximately 500,000 passengers.
Unlike the electric-powered Blue Line, the Red Line will utilise a diesel-powered system known as Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU). The Blue Line opened on September 4, 2023.
The rail system is managed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA)
The Initial estimates of the Red Line project, was pegged at the cost of $135 million under the Greater Lagos Urban Transportation Project.
However, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, revealed that both the Blue and Red Lines combined would exceed N100 billion. The construction of the project was handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
The idea of developing a rapid transit in Lagos state dates back to 1983 with the Lagos Metroline network conceived by Alhaji Lateef Jakande during the Second Nigerian Republic. The initial Metroline project was scrapped in 1985 by Muhammadu Buhari at a loss of over $78 million to the state tax payers.
However, in 2003, the then-governor Bola Tinubu revived the rail network for Lagos State with a formal announcement of its construction.
After the commissioning, Tinubu will depart Lagos for a two-day official visit to the State of Qatar on the invitation by His Highness, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of the State of Qatar.