The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has reaffirmed its commitment to developing a world-class rail system by prioritising safety, modern ticketing, security, energy efficiency, and operational frequency.
The Managing Director of NRC, Kayode Opeifa, stated this during a joint facilities tour of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority’s (LAMATA) rail infrastructure in Lagos.
Opeifa, alongside LAMATA Managing Director, Abimbola Akinajo, inspected key facilities including the Marina Train Station, the Blue Line, the Independent Power Plant, the Red Line, and the Security Control Centre.
He revealed that NRC is integrating the Nigerian government’s payment gateway with LAMATA’s electronic platform, creating a unified ticketing system that will provide commuters with easier access and more seamless journeys.
Opeifa added that the corporation is working on gas-powered plants to strengthen energy efficiency and is drawing from Lagos’ technological models, such as the Cowry Card, to improve narrow-gauge services for smoother operations.
He further highlighted NRC’s collaboration with the Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (Pi-CNG), aimed at reducing the industry’s carbon footprint and driving economic growth.
According to him, the partnership covers diesel retrofit programmes, intermodal shuttle services, distribution of Pi-CNG materials, and specialised training.
Mrs. Akinajo stressed LAMATA’s commitment to connectivity and seamless integration, particularly at interchanges like Agbado and Agege, which link directly to other strategic parts of Lagos.
She credited Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s THEMES Plus Agenda for supporting the Authority’s progress and noted that the Blue Line has maintained over 99 per cent uptime since its launch nearly two years ago, underscoring the reliability of Lagos’ modern rail system.
The collaboration between NRC and LAMATA signals a shared vision of sustainable urban transport powered by innovation, technology, and strong institutional partnerships.
PIAK