Lagos to Begin $3 Billion Green Line Rail Project Linking Marina to Lekki in December
The Lagos State Government has announced plans to commence construction of the long-anticipated $3 billion Green Line rail project in December 2025. The new rail line will connect Marina to the Lekki-Epe corridor, featuring 17 stations and built in phases over a projected timeline of two to three years.
The announcement was made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, in a statement shared on the state government's official X (formerly Twitter) account.
According to Osiyemi, the project follows extensive feasibility studies and stakeholder consultations across the Lekki-Epe Expressway corridor. The rail line will be constructed in two major phases — the first covering the Lekki First Tollgate to Epe segment, and the second including a waterfront section from Marina.
“The government has engaged extensively with stakeholders and carried out thorough feasibility studies to ensure the Green Line project’s success,” Osiyemi stated.
Preparatory efforts have already begun along the route, including the clearing of encroachments and restoration of wetlands to make way for the rail's right-of-way.
Stretching approximately 70 kilometres, the Green Line will pass through Marina, Victoria Island, Ajah, Sangotedo, and the Lekki Free Trade Zone. Each of the 17 planned stations will feature modern facilities, including elevators, escalators, pedestrian bridges, and a dedicated depot near Sangotedo, with a large parking hub at the Free Trade Zone.
The rail system will operate eight-car B-type trains, capable of speeds up to 100 km/h. Trains are expected to run at a minimum three-minute interval, carrying up to 35,000 passengers per hour per direction, significantly easing congestion along the busy corridor.
The $3 billion project is being delivered through a tripartite partnership with China Harbour Engineering Company, which will handle the design, financing, and operations of the line. The Federal Government has committed ₦146.14 billion in counterpart funding, already included in the 2025 budget.
However, transport experts have raised concerns over the spacing of the stations, particularly in densely populated areas such as Victoria Island and Lekki, suggesting that inadequate coverage could affect ridership and efficiency. Recommendations have been made to introduce additional stations and ensure better integration with existing transport systems to maximise the project’s impact.
The Green Line is expected to be a critical component of the state’s expanding urban rail network, offering a sustainable and efficient alternative for commuters along one of Lagos’s busiest corridors.
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