The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has assured that Nigeria will operate modern train systems comparable to global standards under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Dr. Opeifa made this statement while receiving the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, and her delegation during a courtesy visit in Lagos. He announced that the government would unveil a comprehensive railway master plan next month as part of its Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes infrastructure development.
He said that the Tinubu administration will next month come up with the masterplan on the railway, adding that the Nigerian Government under the Renewed Hope Agenda, “has graciously agreed to support all state governments develop their intra-city rail networks taking off from the national rail corridor in their state.”
Opeifa lauded the Lagos State Government which through LAMATA has been operating two colour-coded metro trains (Red and Blue Lines) based on the licenses issued by the Corporation, adding that LAMATA is proving to the world that nothing is impossible.
“The Blue line is an example that nothing is impossible. That is a line that runs exclusively on electricity and LAMATA has been able to keep it in operation for two years non-stop. In the next five years, a lot of things will change in this country and soon, Nigerians will be able to even enjoy a new generation rail system in this country. In our generation, we shall be able to operate all modes of modern rail systems comparable to anywhere in the world,” Opeifa added.
LAMATA, NRC Forge Closer Ties for Seamless Rail Operations, and Opeifa Pledges Full Support
In a move to strengthen collaboration and ensure the seamless operation of rail services, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) paid a courtesy visit to the newly… pic.twitter.com/g7B5FXN3vV
— Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority LAMATA (@Lamataonline) March 4, 2025
The NRC helmsman, who lamented that Nigeria built about 3,500 kilometres of rail tracks in 60 years and stopped for another 60 years, said this administration under its Renewed Hope Agenda is determined to put a stop to that and ensure that it sustained the massive investments of the nigerian Government on rail transportation infrastructure.
He said as facilitator of trade and business the Corporation will continue to give priority to areas that would lessen the burden of transportation on the people, reduce poverty, and bring down the rising inflation. He said he looked forward to the time when all states of the federation will be able to run train services round the clock in their states, which would lessen the burden on the NRC and make it possible to concentrate on freight movements.
Opeifa stated he would continue to give Lagos State and other federating states expeditious approvals as this remains the only way to ensure that they would be able to take train services to the hinterlands for the benefit of Nigerians.
He disclosed that four more states are at various stages of readiness to join Lagos as train-friendly states, adding that Plateau, Niger, Bauchi and Ogun States are already discussing with the Corporation in opening up their states for rail development.
Opeifa who was excited to receive the LAMATA team said as a Lagosian, he is determined to push the corporation to continue to support all LAMATA’s strides, adding that with him at the helm of affairs at NRC, Lagos should consider the corporation as a ready and willing partner.
In her remarks, LAMATA’s Managing Director Mrs Abimbola Akinajo said her team had considered it needful to pay the new NRC Managing Director a visit, because of the cordial relationship between the Corporation and LAMATA.
She said LAMATA is happy that a Lagosian and a member of the LAMATA family is now at the helms of affairs at the NRC.
“We are happy about your appointment and we are looking forward to more fruitful working relationship with the NRC. We are happy that both the NRC and LAMATA are driven by the passion to make rail transportation available to Nigerians.”
She said Lagos State has continued to make judicious use of the licences given to the state for both the Red and Blue Line and the access granted for the Red Line to use the national corridor.
“We decided to pay you a visit and to warmly welcome you back into the transportation family, knowing that under you the Nigerian Railway Corporation would continue to play a major role in Lagos State’s transportation initiatives especially relating to the rail development,” Mrs Akinajo said.
In a related development, the Managing Director of Inland Container Nigeria Ltd, Mr Omotayo Dada, came to seek more partnership with the NRC in moving more containers to the North.
Dada, who visited Opeifa along with the Head of Commercial Services, Mrs King Abigail Odetunde, said ICNL is desirous to sustain and expand containerized movement from Apapa to the Northern parts of the country.
Responding, Opeifa said the NRC is desirous of developing new business lines adding that as a facilitator of business the Nigerian Railway Corporation would continue to support businesses, sub nationals and the private sector through it’s specially structured Track Access Business Model and Freight Movement priorities.
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