“The completion of this very important project is a dream come true,” Mr Buhari said during the opening ceremony.

“This accomplishment clearly demonstrates our commitment to addressing critical infrastructural projects,” he added.

Mr Buhari and other digntaries took a ride from the Abuja Metro Station to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport. A second line runs between the central business district to northern neighbourhoods.

The entire metro system, comprising 290km (180 miles), is being built by a Chinese firm at a cost of $824m (£623), Bloomberg news agency quotes officials as saying.

It will cover the entire city and will be developed in six phases.