Opeifa Seeks EU Investment to Fast-track Nigeria’s Low-Carbon Rail Revolution

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has called on the European Union, international investors and development finance institutions to channel sustainable investments into Nigeria’s railway sector to accelerate the country’s transition to a low-carbon transport system and drive economic growth.

Opeifa said expanding and modernising Nigeria’s rail network would not only help reduce carbon emissions but also lower logistics costs, improve passenger mobility, create jobs and strengthen regional connectivity, positioning rail as a catalyst for national development.

Speaking at the 10th Nigeria–EU Business Forum on Sustainable Transportation and Global Gateway Opportunities for Partnerships held on Thursday, Opeifa described rail transportation as a strategic national asset capable of advancing Nigeria’s economic transformation while supporting its climate change commitments.

According to him, rail remains one of the cleanest and most energy-efficient modes of transportation, making sustained investment in the sector critical to reducing pressure on the nation’s highways and promoting environmentally friendly mobility.

“By strengthening our railway network, we can significantly reduce carbon emissions, ease congestion on our highways, lower logistics costs, improve passenger mobility, and stimulate industrial and commercial activities across Nigeria,” he said.

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The NRC boss reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to building a modern, efficient, safe and environmentally sustainable railway system through ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening rail infrastructure, improving operational efficiency and expanding freight services.

He added that the corporation is also creating opportunities for greater private sector participation through sustainable investment models that would unlock long-term value in the railway industry.

Opeifa identified the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative as a major platform for deepening cooperation between Nigeria and international partners in the development of critical rail infrastructure.

He said the corporation is seeking partnerships that would support railway modernisation, deployment of green technologies, renewable energy integration, digital rail systems, capacity building and innovative financing solutions.

According to him, sustainable transportation has become an economic and environmental necessity rather than a policy choice, stressing that investment in rail infrastructure would deliver lasting benefits for future generations.

He urged investors, technology providers, development finance institutions and strategic partners to collaborate with the NRC in transforming Nigeria’s railway network into a resilient, competitive and environmentally sustainable transportation system.

Such investments, he noted, would accelerate Nigeria’s rail decarbonisation journey, facilitate trade, strengthen regional integration and promote inclusive economic development.

Opeifa expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between Nigeria and the European Union would unlock new opportunities for sustainable infrastructure financing and technological advancement in the railway sector.

He also commended the European Union and organisers of the Nigeria–EU Business Forum for providing a platform to promote dialogue, partnerships and investments that support sustainable transportation across Nigeria.

The NRC managing director reiterated that with the right investments and strategic partnerships, Nigeria’s railway sector can become a major driver of economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability and national prosperity.

Opeifa Seeks EU Investment to Fast-track Nigeria’s Low-Carbon Rail Revolution

Warri-Itakpe Train Crash: Full Manifest Retrieved, FG, NRC Condole Families of Five Dead

The Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have said the full manifest of passengers and crew members aboard the ill-fated Warri–Itakpe train has been retrieved, even as they extended condolences to the families of the five persons who lost their lives in Monday’s accident near Agbor, Delta State.

In a joint update on the incident, the ministry and the NRC said efforts were ongoing to identify all injured passengers and deceased victims for proper documentation, while assuring that relevant authorities would have access to the complete onboard manifest.

The agencies confirmed that five persons — four adults and a baby — died when four coaches of the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) capsized and another derailed along the corridor. They added that 24 passengers sustained serious injuries, while several others suffered varying degrees of injuries and are receiving medical treatment.

According to the statement signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funsho Adebiyi, a total of 442 passengers had booked for the journey, while 40 crew members, security personnel and third-party service providers were on board, bringing the total number of persons on the train to 482.

The ministry said rescue and evacuation operations were immediately activated following the accident, with support from the Delta State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Police, Civil Defence, local authorities and other emergency responders.

The rescue efforts, which were completed by 6:30 p.m., also received assistance from the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, and former Delta State Secretary to the State Government, Patrick Ukah.

The ministry and the NRC expressed their deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the accident.

They also commended the Delta State Government, emergency response agencies, security operatives, medical personnel, the NRC Mechanical Directorate and the corporation’s special rescue and emergency team for their swift intervention.

The statement added that a full investigation into the cause of the accident had commenced, assuring that authorities would continue to account for all passengers and provide necessary support to those affected by the tragedy.

NRC Confirms Warri–Itakpe Train Accident, Three Passengers Dead

Three passengers reportedly died and many others injured on Monday following the derailment of a train operating on the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS), raising fresh concerns about safety and operational challenges on one of Nigeria’s most important standard-gauge railway corridors.

The accident occurred at Agbor, Delta State, along the Warri–Itakpe route, according to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

In a statement signed by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, the corporation disclosed that rescue and emergency operations were ongoing while efforts were being made to determine the full extent of the accident.

“The Nigerian Railway Corporation confirms that an incident involving the Warri–Itakpe Train Service occurred today. Emergency response teams and relevant authorities are currently at the scene attending to the situation and providing necessary assistance,” the statement said.

The NRC said it was closely monitoring developments and promised to provide further details as investigations progress.

Although the corporation did not immediately state the number of casualties or injuries, sources familiar with the incident said three passengers lost their lives in the derailment.

Monday’s accident is the latest setback for the rail corridor, which has experienced a series of operational disruptions in recent years.

In April 2025, the NRC suspended train operations on the Warri–Itakpe route for 72 hours after a major technical failure left hundreds of passengers stranded in a remote forest area in Kogi State for several hours.

The disruption sparked public outrage and renewed scrutiny of the reliability and maintenance of the service.

The corporation attributed the incident to multiple engine failures and subsequently launched investigations while carrying out repairs before resuming operations.

The Warri–Itakpe line has also faced vandalism of railway infrastructure and security concerns along parts of the corridor.

Commissioned as Nigeria’s first standard-gauge rail line dedicated initially to freight movement before passenger services were introduced, the route links Warri in Delta State with Itakpe in Kogi State, serving thousands of passengers and facilitating the movement of goods across several states.

Transportation stakeholders have repeatedly called for stronger safety measures, improved maintenance culture and increased investment in rail infrastructure to prevent recurring incidents and enhance public confidence in the country’s rail transport system.