Railway

Updated: Abuja-Kaduna train returns this month with 24-hour security monitoring – Minister

Published

3 years ago

November 8, 2022

The Nigerian Railway Corporation will resume the operation of the Abuja-Kaduna train service with a 24-hour daily security monitoring system before the end of this month, Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo, has said.

He made the disclosure in Abuja on Monday while giving an update on the achievements of the ministry between 2015 and 2022.

This is coming eight months after terrorists bombed the train corridor, killing many and kidnapping scores of passengers.

Sambo said also that the FG planned to link up the 36 state capitals in Nigeria with rail network in order to provide seamless means of transportation for the people.

Sambo, who admitted the pains thrown up by the March 2022 attack on the Kaduna-Abuja train route, said that the government had learnt many lessons from the atrocity and adopted many measures to prevent future attacks and give the users of the service a sense of security and safety.

He said all the kidnapped passengers had been released and reunited with their families and loved ones, Sambo stated that the rail lined had been provided with 24-hour security monitoring system to ensure constant real time surveillance and control.

The minister said, “The Abuja-Kaduna (train) tragedy shall not happen again not only because we have committed it to God but we have taken steps to prevent any further attack again. We have learnt lessons from the attack.

“The lesson leant is to provide constant surveillance, constant monitoring on a daily basis, weekly, monthly as each train leaves and returns. It should be possible for what goes on within the rail line to be monitored real time going forward.

“We shall resume that service this month. I told you we would only resume service after all the kidnapped passengers might have been released. By the Grace of God and through the instrumentality of our security agencies under the able leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, that has been successfully done and we are going to resume operation on the Kaduna-Abuja rail route before the end of November 2022.”

On the suspension of operation on the Itakpe-Warri route, the minister explained that being one of the most important corridors on the national rail line, efforts were being made to ensure its return to full operation and serve the people maximally.

According to him, the ministry is to secure the approval of the Federal Executive Council to complete the work on the Itakpe-Warri rail corridor on the basis of Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing model to address the challenges currently being faced on the route.

Sambo said, “The Ministry of Transportation wants to go back to FEC for approval for executing the Itakpe-Warri Railway Line on the basis of Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing model because it is one of the most important rail projects in Nigeria as it remains in the central line in Nigeria.

“With it, one can travel from Abuja to Warri with ease. It is important and the Federal Government is mindful of that. It is important for all Nigerians to know that the Federal Government’s Railway Modernization Programme is aimed at linking each state capital in Nigeria with rail with the goal of making life easier for all Nigerians who want to travel from one point to the other.”

The minister also defended the extension of the Katsina rail line in Nigeria to Maradi in Niger Republic, saying that the move would promote international trade between Nigeria and other countries through that corridor, adding that there was no need to sign an agreement with such countries before such a project is done.

Sambo also denied insinuations that the FG approved narrow-gauge rail line for the South East while it implemented standard gauge for other parts of the country, saying that the choice of narrow gauge from Maiduguri through Jos and other parts of the North to the South was due to the paucity of funds at the disposal of the government and not restricted to any part of the country.

Sambo said the time the decision for narrow gauge choice was made before his appointment, the choice was between picking the narrow gauge at the cost of $3 billion or standard gauge for $12 billion and that the federal government picked the cheaper option due to funding constraints.

The minister also explained that the prolonged delay in dredging the Calabar River Port which has been featuring in many budgets for decades was due to the number of litigations instituted by interested parties, which predate the Buhari administration.

He however said that President Buhari had directed that necessary steps be taken to sort out the legal hurdles and get the vital port dredged for the interests of maritime operations and create jobs for Nigerians.

Overall, the minister boasted that the Buhari administration had lifted the transport sector with key projects and services that have transformed the sector and created millions of job and strengthened maritime security since the inception of the administration in 2015.

Sambo boasted: “Within the period under review, the moribund commercial railway services in Nigeria were resuscitated by the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari; locomotives and coaches were procured and others refurbished. The Abuja – Kaduna rail corridor commercial operation was flagged off in July 2016 while the Warri – Itakpe corridor started commercial operation in April 2021 with the Lagos – Ibadan double track standard gauge beginning commercial operation in June 2021.

“The President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has made giant strides in bridging the infrastructural deficit in the transportation sector – the railway modernization programme, the deep sea ports development programme, the inland dry port initiative, job creation, introduction of favourable policies to mention but a few.

“The sector is far from perfect, but the interventions on ground will serve as a veritable template for the incoming administration to build upon,” the minister stated.

The Minister of Information, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, tongue-lashed the opposition for saying that the Buhari administration has nothing to campaign with for the 2023 elections.

Mohammed said, “I want to address what I will call an absurdity that is being bandied about by the opposition, that the Buhari Administration has nothing to campaign with in the run-up to the 2023 general elections. It’s a cruel irony that the party that presided over the affairs of this great country in a time of plenty, but could not complete a single modern rail line, is the one accusing an administration that has completed at least three standard gauge rail-lines of lacking in achievements.

“Indeed, the Buhari administration is spoilt for choice in celebrating its achievements. As I said, we have completed the Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan and Itakpe-Warri Standard Gauge Rail-lines,we have commissioned brand new airport terminals in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt, we have completed housing projects in 35 states, we have constructed or are constructing road projects in every state, we

have the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme that has almost weaned us from dependence on imported rice and other crops.

Mohammed said, “We met 15 standard rice mills and now we have over 50; we have our unprecedented National Social Investment Programme under which 9.8 million schoolchildren are fed one meal daily, under which one million youth have been empowered and another 500,000 who are undergoing training under the N-Power and the 1,632,480 households that have been enrolled in the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme. And we are proud of the Integrated National Security and Waterways Protection Infrastructure (also known as Deep Blue Asset), aimed at managing, controlling and protecting Nigerian waterways towards the advancement of coastal prosperity.

“They are quick to point to some economic indices like the naira exchange rate and inflation, but the truth is that if they were the ones confronted with having to fight a once-in-a-century pandemic, two economic recessions and low oil prices, Nigeria would have had no economy to even talk about.”

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Abuja-Kaduna train will resume operation this month – Minister

Railway

British Museum, Oxford experts visit NRC Legacy Museum, seek heritage partnership

Published

3 days ago

April 7, 2026

Trends Admin

British Museum, Oxford experts visit NRC Legacy Museum, seek heritage partnership

A delegation of experts from the British Museum and University of Oxford has visited the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Legacy Museum, opening discussions on potential international collaboration to preserve and revitalise Nigeria’s railway heritage.

The familiarisation tour was led by Paul Bagu, alongside Mrs. Julia Hudson, as the team assessed the museum’s historical assets and conservation needs.

During the visit, the delegation toured key sections of the facility, including the iconic Old Running Shed, home to ageing locomotives and vintage coaches that reflect Nigeria’s rail transport evolution.

The experts expressed strong interest in restoration efforts, stressing the urgency of preserving the artefacts through technical support and global partnerships.

Describing the museum as a critical archive of Nigeria’s industrial past, Bagu noted that it holds “immense cultural and historical value,” adding that collaboration in conservation, restoration, and knowledge exchange would be vital to safeguarding the assets for future generations.

A major highlight of the tour was the historic coach used by Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Nigeria.

The delegation pointed to the shared railway history between Britain and Nigeria as a strong foundation for deeper institutional partnerships.

“The historical links between Britain and Nigeria’s railway development present a unique opportunity to build enduring collaborations that celebrate this shared heritage,” Bagu said.

Drawing parallels from West Africa, he referenced a successful railway heritage initiative in Freetown, where sustained efforts by local enthusiasts have helped revive a once-dormant museum.

He urged similar grassroots commitment in Nigeria to complement institutional support.

President of the Legacy Museum Railway Compound, Mr. Taye Olaniyi, welcomed the delegation, describing the visit as a validation of the museum’s growing relevance.

He also acknowledged the contributions of retired NRC director, Mr. Nate Adediron, to the development of the facility.

“We are honoured to host our distinguished guests. Their visit underscores the importance of global partnerships in advancing our vision of making the NRC Legacy Museum a leading railway heritage centre in Africa,” Olaniyi said.

Providing technical depth to the engagement, Engr. Dr. Quadri A.T., Assistant Director (Mechanical) at NRC, briefed the visitors on the operation and maintenance of both legacy and modern locomotives.

His presentation highlighted ongoing efforts to preserve historical assets while aligning with contemporary rail development standards.

The delegation also explored thematic exhibits covering railway administration, Nigeria’s political evolution, and transitional milestones in national development—elements that reinforce the museum’s educational value.

Commending the initiative, Bagu encouraged greater public engagement, particularly among young Nigerians, to ensure long-term sustainability of heritage preservation efforts.

The visit concluded with the presentation of certificates to key contributors and institutions, followed by a group photograph session.

The engagement marks a significant step toward international collaboration and strengthens efforts to position the NRC Legacy Museum as a premier railway heritage destination in Africa.

Railway

Easter train: NRC increases Lagos-Ibadan trips, offers free Osun holiday transit

Published

1 week ago

April 1, 2026

Trends Admin

Easter train: NRC increases Lagos-Ibadan trips, offers free Osun holiday transit

With the 2026 Easter celebrations just around the length of a rail track away, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has moved to prevent holiday travel gridlock by significantly boosting its service capacity.

In a move to accommodate the seasonal influx of travellers, the corporation announced a strategic mix of increased trip frequencies and a unique government-backed free transit programme.

The centrepiece of this holiday rollout is the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service (LITS). Anticipating a massive exodus from the coastal hub on Thursday, April 2, the NRC has added a third daily trip to its schedule. Commuters departing from the Mobolaji Johnson Station in Ebute Metta can now choose between 7:45am, 1:40pm, and 4pm slots.

Those returning from the Obafemi Awolowo Station in Ibadan have similar flexibility, with departures staggered at 8:00 a.m., 10:50am, and 4:30pm.

Adding a layer of relief for budget-conscious travellers, the NRC is collaborating with the Osun State Government to provide a fully funded narrow gauge service. This initiative allows passengers to travel from Lagos to Osogbo at no cost.

According to the corporation, the “free train” is scheduled to leave Iddo Station on Friday, April 3, at 10am, with the return leg bringing holidaymakers back to Lagos on Monday, April 6, at the same hour.

It also noted that while the South-West corridors see these specific boosts, the rest of the national network remains steady, the Northern Corridor (Abuja–Kaduna service) will maintain its robust schedule, offering up to three daily trips over the weekend to keep the Idu and Rigasa link fluid.
The Delta-Kogi Link (Warri–Itakpe line) continues its daily operations, though it will pause this Thursday for its standard safety maintenance window.
Also, the Eastern Line (The Port Harcourt–Aba service) remains on its morning-departure and afternoon-return cycle.

NRC management stressed that while capacity has increased, security and ticketing protocols remain a top priority. They are urging the public to arrive at stations early and cooperate with security personnel to ensure the holiday remains peaceful.

As the corporation looks toward a busy weekend, they continue to pitch rail travel as the safest and most dependable alternative for Nigerians traversing the country this Easter.

Railway

Eid-el-Fitr: NRC to Operate Three Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips on March 23

Published

3 weeks ago

March 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Eid-el-Fitr: NRC to Operate Three Lagos–Ibadan Train Trips on March 23

The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the operation of three scheduled train trips on the Lagos–Ibadan Train Service (LITS) corridor on Monday, March 23, in response to increased passenger demand during the Eid-el-Fitr travel period.

The announcement was made in a statement by NRC spokesperson Callistus Unyimadu, who explained that the additional services are intended to ease passenger movement, reduce congestion, and provide more travel options for commuters returning after the festive celebrations. He noted that the Lagos–Ibadan rail route, connecting Lagos and Ibadan, remains one of the busiest rail corridors in the country, particularly during public holidays when road traffic is usually heavy.

According to the NRC, departures from Lagos will take place at the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station at 7:45 a.m., 1:40 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. From Ibadan, trains will depart from the Obafemi Awolowo Train Station at 8:00 a.m., 10:50 a.m., and 4:30 p.m. The corporation said the schedule was designed to improve travel flexibility, enhance rail transport convenience, and accommodate the surge in passenger turnout typically recorded during festive periods.