Abuja, Jul 19 (IANS): The Nigerian government has approved $1.5 billion for a railway network modernisation project.

The southwestern Lagos-Ibadan double track railway line modernization is one of the west African country's major railway projects in recent times, Xinhua reported.

Information Minister Labaran Maku said the approval followed a memorandum presented to the government on the project.

Noting that the rail project was in 2006 awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) Ltd but could not be completed due to paucity of funds, the minister said it would now be executed in six phases.

The project which is expected to be completed in 36 months and generate more than 5,000 jobs in the country, would cover 2,733 km.

"The standard gauge line which the government approved is going to run between Lagos, Ibadan, Ilorin, Minna and Kano. There would also be a phase that will take off from Minna to Abuja," Maku said.