Criticism mounts as transport ministry allocates 57% of budget to Lagos Railway
The Federal Ministry of Transportation has allocated 57 per cent of its 2025 budget to the Lagos Green Line Rail Project, sparking widespread criticism over perceived neglect of other national transportation needs.
The ministry’s 2025 budget reveals that N146.14 billion out of a total N256.73 billion has been earmarked for the Lagos Green Line project, a move some critics label as favouritism towards Lagos State by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Concerns have also been raised about the ministry’s ability to address other pressing transportation challenges across the nation.
Public policy analyst Waziri Adio questioned the rationale behind using federal ministry funds as counterpart funding for a project managed by the Federal Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI). “If this is counterpart funding from a recapitalised MOFI, why is the money coming from the budget of a federal ministry? Why can’t MOFI raise its counterpart funding from the market?” he asked.
“This raises questions about equity and the decision-making process regarding federal investments in state projects.”
Additional scrutiny surrounds the transport ministry’s budget allocations. Among the proposed expenditures are N1 billion for vehicle procurement, N150 million for performance management systems, N40 million for annual press conferences, and N70 million for digitisation projects. There is also N1.434 billion allocated for office construction and another N100 million for monitoring capital budget implementation.
Critics also pointed out duplication in budgetary provisions, such as an additional N100 million set aside for monitoring and evaluating capital projects.
Meanwhile, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu defended the Green Line project, emphasising its transformative potential for Lagos’ transportation infrastructure.
He stated that the 68km rail line, which connects the Lekki Free Zone to Marina, would eventually carry over a million passengers daily, reducing travel times and enhancing economic growth.
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Sanwo-Olu celebrated the achievements of the Blue Line rail, which served two million passengers in its first year, and highlighted the economic and social benefits of the Green Line project. “These rail lines are catalysts for economic growth, connecting communities and improving the quality of life for millions,” he said.
While Lagos State officials hail the Green Line as a game-changer, critics argue that prioritising Lagos projects at the expense of national transportation development undermines equitable progress. They continue to call for more balanced federal spending to address Nigeria’s broader infrastructure needs.
