Uba Sani Unveils ₦30bn Kaduna BRT Project to Cut Emissions, Create 14,000 Jobs

Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has announced a ₦30 billion counterpart funding commitment for the Kaduna Bus Rapid Transit (KBRT) project — a landmark initiative aimed at reducing carbon emissions, easing urban mobility, and creating thousands of jobs across the state. The project, undertaken in partnership with the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), marks a major milestone in Kaduna’s urban transportation modernization effort.

Speaking at the National Transport Conference, Governor Sani described the KBRT as “the first of its kind in northern Nigeria” and “second nationwide after Lagos,” emphasizing that the initiative represents Kaduna’s commitment to a sustainable, people-centered transport future.

Uba Sani Unveils ₦30bn Kaduna BRT Project

Governor Uba Sani said the state government has committed ₦30 billion in counterpart funding for the KBRT system, which will run along a 24-kilometre dedicated corridor from Rigachikun to Sabon Tasha, deploying 120 articulated buses powered by compressed natural gas (CNG).

He noted that the project, designed with global environmental standards, will significantly reduce commuting time, curb the city’s traffic congestion, and serve as a reliable alternative to the informal transport system currently in use. The initiative also aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 38 percent while saving commuters an estimated ₦1.8 billion annually in fuel costs.

“The KBRT is not only a transportation project but also a statement of intent,” Sani stated. “We are embracing cleaner energy, improving urban mobility, and advancing the quality of life for our people. This is how we build the Kaduna of the future.”

Uba Sani Says Project to Cut Emissions, Create 14,000 Jobs for the State

Governor Sani revealed that the KBRT initiative will generate 3,200 direct jobs, including positions for drivers, station agents, and maintenance engineers, while also creating over 11,000 indirect jobs across sectors such as ICT, security, cleaning, and small-scale trade.

According to him, the employment opportunities generated by the project are designed to stimulate local economies and promote inclusive growth. He described the project as a critical step toward realizing his administration’s Human Capital Development and Green Growth Agenda, which aims to combine infrastructure expansion with sustainable environmental practices.

“We are creating jobs and protecting the environment at the same time,” Sani said. “This is what responsible governance looks like — investing in people, infrastructure, and sustainability.”

Uba Sani Says Kaduna Light Rail Project Nearing Completion

In addition to the BRT system, the governor also disclosed progress on the Kaduna Light Rail Project, noting that Phase 1, which focuses on restoring the old rail gauge between Rigachikun and Sabon Tasha, is at an advanced stage.

He emphasized that the combined impact of the light rail and BRT projects will transform Kaduna’s transport landscape, enhance regional trade, and position the state as a major economic and mobility hub in northern Nigeria.

“Our goal is to integrate road and rail systems to make Kaduna a model for sustainable, multi-modal urban transport,” the governor said. “When we complete both projects, Kaduna will emerge as a reference point for smart, clean, and inclusive development.”