Lagos to Commence $3 Billion Green Line Rail Project in December, Linking Marina to Lekki and Epe Corridors
Story: WRITTEN BY PETERSON OCTOBER 14,2025
The Lagos State Government has announced that construction work on the $3 billion Green Line Rail Project — a major addition to the state’s urban transport network — will officially commence in December 2025.
According to the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the Green Line Rail will connect Marina on Lagos Island to the Lekki and Epe corridors, significantly easing traffic congestion and cutting travel time in one of the state’s fastest-growing urban regions.
In a statement released via the official X (Twitter) handle of the Lagos State Government on Monday, Osiyemi described the Green Line as one of the most ambitious and transformative infrastructure projects in the state’s history.
He revealed that the project would be implemented in two major phases over a period of two to three years. The first phase will run from the Lekki First Tollgate to Epe, while the second phase will extend from Marina, featuring a section that will run partly on water.
“We have conducted detailed feasibility studies and engaged extensively with stakeholders, including residents, traditional rulers, and business owners along the Lekki-Epe corridor,” Osiyemi stated. “Construction of the Green Line will begin in December and will proceed in phases from Marina to Epe.”
Clearing the Path for Development
Ahead of the December groundbreaking, the government has intensified enforcement operations along the Lekki-Epe Expressway, clearing encroachments and illegal structures, relocating roadside traders, and improving drainage networks. This effort aims to secure the project’s right-of-way and minimize disruptions once construction begins.
The Green Line Rail — spanning approximately 70 kilometres — will connect Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, passing through major districts including Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah, Sangotedo, and Epe. It will feature 17 modern train stations combining elevated and ground-level tracks.
Each station will be equipped with pedestrian bridges, elevators, escalators, and automated ticketing systems, similar to those found on the Blue and Red Lines. A major train depot is planned near Sangotedo, with a 15-hectare park-and-ride facility at the Lekki Free Trade Zone to improve commuter access.
Faster Commute and Economic Growth
The Green Line trains will operate in eight-car B-type configurations, running at speeds of up to 100 km/h and carrying as many as 35,000 passengers per hour in each direction. The rail line is expected to reduce travel time between Marina and Epe from over four hours to under one hour.
The project, estimated to cost $3 billion (₦4.5 trillion), will be financed under a public-private partnership (PPP). The Federal Government has already committed ₦146.14 billion as counterpart funding in the 2025 national budget.
A tripartite agreement has been signed with the China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) to design, finance, build, and operate the Green Line, while the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) will oversee regulatory and operational frameworks.
In April 2025, LAMATA released a detailed video presentation outlining the Green Line’s route, funding structure, and technical design, reaffirming that construction will be handled by CHEC.
Experts Weigh In
Urban planners and transportation analysts have applauded the Lagos State Government for prioritising mass transit infrastructure but expressed concerns about station spacing along the route.
Some experts argue that the long distance between stations in Victoria Island and Lekki Phase 1 could reduce accessibility for daily commuters. Others recommend adding more stops in densely populated areas to boost ridership and better integrate the line with existing transport systems.
Still, the project has been widely praised for its potential to transform mobility, attract investments, and drive economic development across the Lekki-Epe corridor, which is home to major projects like the Dangote Refinery, Lekki Deep Sea Port, and Lekki Free Trade Zone.
Balancing Progress with Public Impact
While residents welcome the long-awaited relief from traffic congestion, some have raised concerns about construction-related disruptions, such as road closures, property displacement, and noise pollution.
Osiyemi assured the public that the government would ensure minimal disruption, provide timely updates, and compensate affected individuals.
“The Green Line is more than just a rail project,” the Commissioner said. “It represents our vision for a cleaner, faster, and more efficient Lagos. It will enhance mobility, create jobs, attract foreign investment, and improve the overall quality of life.”
The Green Line forms part of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) master plan, which includes six major lines designed to connect the entire city through a multimodal transport system integrating rail, BRT, and ferries.
With the Blue Line already operational and the Red Line nearing completion, the upcoming Green Line positions Lagos closer to achieving its goal of becoming Africa’s most advanced urban transport hub.
