Updated January 12, 2025- The Nigerian Federal Government has proposed to earmark N102.3 billion as counterpart funding for the Lagos Green Line rail project in the 2026 budget.

This information is according to data that was acquired from the 2026 Appropriation Bill under the Ministry of Transportation.

The Lagos Green Line is a 68-kilometre rail network running from the Lekki Free Zone to Marina. It is expected to link major parts of Lagos. These parts incLeke Victoria Island (VI), Lekki, and Ajah.

Earlier on, the project was allocated N146.14 billion as counterpart funding in the 2025 budget proposal as well.

The Lagos Green Line rail is a proposed $3 billion, 70-kilometre network that will stretch from Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone. Additionally, it will have 17 stations along a mix of elevated and at-grade tracks.

Furthermore, the Green Line is planned to link key areas, such as Victoria Island, Ajah, Sangotedo, and the Lekki Free Zone, with modern station facilities, pedestrian bridges, elevators, escalators, and a depot near Sangotedo.

Construction works of the project were initially scheduled to commence in December 2025 after extensive feasibility studies and stakeholder consultations along the Lekki-Epe corridor. As of January 11, 2026, work has not yet started, though plans are underway.

Trains on the upcoming Lagos Green Line are expected to operate in eight-car B-type sets, reaching 100 km/h, with a minimum headway of three minutes and a projected capacity of 35,000 passengers per hour per direction. The first phase will cover the stretch from Lekki First Tollgate to Epe, while the second phase from Marina will include an on-water segment.

It is becoming a major trend for African cities to develop railway lines that will serve to reduce congestion in roads that serve within the cities. Cities such as Nairobi in Kenya and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania intend to develop railway infrastructure to reduce congestion and enhance connectivity. As for the latter, the Dar es Salaam commuter rail will position Tanzania as a key railway transport hub in East Africa once developed.

October 14, 2025

The Lagos state government has stated construction that the construction works of the Lagos Green Line project will commence in December 2025.

Oluwaseun Osiyemi who is the commissioner for transportation spoke during an inspection tour in the Lekki area alongside Tokunbo Wahab who is the commissioner for environment and water resources.

Also, according to a statement that was posted on the X account of the state government on Monday, Wahab inspected the environmental infraction along the Lekki-Epe expressway. This was in preparation for the forthcoming Lagos Green Line.

Furthermore, he stated that the state officials went on site to conduct an assessment on the extent of the infractions and did an exploration of how both ministries could collaborate to restore the wetlands and realign the master plan for Lagos Green Line project, directing that enforcement actions against the violations commence immediately.

The development of the Lagos Green Line project is expected to boost the city’s connectivity which the state government seeks to improve. The Lagos Green Line project is part of the Lagos Rail Project. which seeks to improve mobility in the city and reduce congestion.

Reported on September 13, 2024

The government of Nigeria has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the ministry of finance incorporated (MOFI) and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to construct the Lagos Green Line in the state.

As revealed in an announcement that was made on Thursday, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos, said the green line is foreseen to carry over 500,000 passengers daily with numbers expected to increase as its demand grows.

Length of the Lagos Green Line

Moreover, just to note, the green line is a 68 km rail line designed to run from the Lekki free zone to connect with the blue line at Marina.

“Today, we signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to bring this ambitious Lagos Green Line project to life,” the governor said.

 “Furthermore, this new Lagos Green Line once completed is expected to transform our transport landscape. It will connect key areas like Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah, and more.

“Moreover, this Lagos Green Line rail line is projected to carry over 500,000 passengers daily at launch, rising to over a million as demand grows.

“Also, with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated and CHEC leading the design, financing, and operation, the Lagos Green Line will redefine public transport in Lagos.

Similar Projects

The Lagos Green Line complements our existing rail lines, including the Red Line, which has already begun partial operations. Together, these lines form the backbone of Strategic Transport Master Plan, designed to create a fast, efficient, and connected Lagos.

“Just yesterday, we celebrated the one-year anniversary of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line. It has served an impressive 2 million passengers without significant disruptions. 

Additionally, this success shows that Lagos is ready for more – and very ready for the future. In August 2024, the Blue Line increased daily trips from a total of 54 trips to 72 trips, reducing travel time between Marina and Mile 2 from 30 to a remarkable 18 minutes. 

Significance of the Project

 “The impact of these rail lines goes beyond transportation – they are catalysts for economic growth, connecting communities, reducing travel times, and enhancing the quality of life for millions. We are building a city that works.”

Furthermore, the impact of these rail lines goes beyond transportation. They are catalysts for economic growth, connecting communities, reducing travel times, and enhancing the quality of life for millions. We are building a city that works.

Moreover, according to research that was conducted by the Lagos-based Danne Institute of Research, it was revealed that the poor states of the roads in the state lead to people sit in traffic for an approximated total of 14.1 million hours a day every year. However, the Lagos government is seeking to address this issue by setting up railways.

Project Fact Sheet

Length: 68 kilometers

Contractor: China Harbour Engineering Company

Location: Lagos

Capacity: 500,000 passengers daily

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