Governor Uba Sani Unveils Kaduna Light Rail Project and N17.7 Billion Pension Payout to Support State Workforce

Kaduna Governor Uba Sani reveals the new light rail project approval and N17.79 billion in pension payments during the 2026 Workers Day celebrations.

By: AXL Media

Published: May 2, 2026, 8:14 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Newsdiaryonline

Strategic Infrastructure to Relieve Economic Pressure

Governor Uba Sani has moved to address the rising cost of living for the Kaduna workforce by announcing a significant expansion of the state’s transport infrastructure. Speaking at the 2026 Workers Day celebration at Murtala Square, Sani revealed that the Federal Executive Council has officially approved the Kaduna Light Rail Project. This initiative is designed to integrate with the existing Bus Rapid Transit network, providing a safe, affordable, and reliable alternative for workers currently facing economic challenges following national subsidy reforms.

Fiscal Commitment to Retirees and Social Welfare

A cornerstone of the administration’s current policy is the aggressive resolution of outstanding pension and gratuity liabilities. The governor disclosed that with a recent release of N4.28 billion, the total expenditure for pensions and death benefits has reached N17.79 billion, a move that has directly benefited over 8,300 individuals. This fiscal commitment is intended to honor those who have completed their service to the state while ensuring that the public service remains an attractive and secure career path for the current generation of employees.

Transportation Interventions and CNG Integration

In an effort to provide immediate relief from transport inflation, the state has successfully operated a free Compressed Natural Gas bus service over the past nine months. Governor Sani reported that the 100 buses deployed under this scheme have served more than 1.5 million people, resulting in an estimated transport savings of N1.4 billion for residents. The upcoming light rail system is expected to build upon this success, creating a multi, modal urban transit framework that reduces the financial burden on the state's lower and middle, income earners.