Railway

Expect more new generation trains under Tinubu – Opeifa

Published

1 year ago

March 5, 2025

Expect more new generation trains under Tinubu – Opeifa

*FG to support states in developing intra-city rail

Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, has said the Tinubu administration will next month come up with a master plan for the nation’s railway.

He also disclosed that the Federal Government under the Renewed Hope Agenda had agreed to support all state governments to develop their intra-city rail networks taking off from the national rail corridor in their state.

He said under President Bola Tinubu, Nigerians would operate more new generation train systems comparable to anywhere in the world.

He said this during a visit by the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abimbola Akinajo, who led top management of the agency, among them Director of Rail Services, Olasunkanmi Okusaga, Head Corporate Communication, Kolawole Ojelabi, and the Corporate Legal Secretary, Abiola Ajayi, to the NRC head office, Lagos.

Opeifa lauded the Lagos State Government which through LAMATA has been operating two metro trains (Red and Blue Lines) based on the licences issued by the corporation.

LAMATA, he said, had proved to the world that nothing is impossible.

The NRC MD said, “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 new generation rail system.

“In our generation, we shall be able to operate all modes of modern rail system comparable to anywhere in the world.”

Opeifa who lamented that Nigeria built about 3,500 kilometres of rail track in 60 years and stopped for another 60 years, said this administration was determined to put a stop to that and ensure that it sustained the massive investments of the Federal Government in rail transportation infrastructure.

He said as facilitator of trade and business, the corporation would 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 would be able to run train services round the clock, which would reduce the burden on the NRC and make it to concentrate on freight movement.

He promised to 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.

Plateau, Niger, Bauchi and Ogun states were discussing with the corporation in opening up their states for rail development, he added.

Opeifa who was excited to receive the LAMATA team said as a Lagosian, he remained determined to push the corporation to continue to support all LAMATA’s strides.

He stressed that with him at the helm of affairs at the NRC, Lagos should consider the corporation as a ready and willing partner.

In her own remarks, LAMATA’s Managing Director, Mrs Abimbola Akinajo, said her team had considered it needful to pay the new NRC MD 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.

She said, “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 also said Lagos State had 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,” 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 NRC would continue to support businesses, sub nationals and the private sector through its specially structured Track Access Business Model and Freight Movement priorities.

Related Topics:Featured LAMATA NRC Opeifa

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Railway

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

Published

1 day 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

2 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.

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

Railway

NRC announces free train rides, extra trips for Eid Fitr

Published

2 weeks ago

March 19, 2026

Trends Admin

NRC announces free train rides, extra trips for Sallah special

Getting home for the holidays just got a whole lot easier as the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has rolled out its special Sallah train schedule, deploying extra trips and increasing capacity to ensure Nigerians can celebrate Eid-el-Fitr with their loved ones without the usual travel stress.

From the bustling Lagos-Ibadan corridor to the scenic Warri-Itakpe route, the NRC is stepping up its game to handle the festive surge.

Its key highlights of the Sallah schedule as contained in its latest statement are as follows:

* Lagos–Ibadan (LITS): On Thursday, March 19, the service will run three special trips.

* From Lagos: 7:40 a.m., 1:40 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.

* From Ibadan: 8:00 a.m., 10:50 a.m., and 4:30 p.m.

* Abuja–Kaduna (AKTS): To keep the capital connected, the NRC is boosting frequency. After two trips on Thursday, the corridor will move to three trips daily from Friday, March 20, through Monday, March 23.

* Warri–Itakpe (WITS): This route maintains its thrice-weekly flow.

* Warri to Itakpe: Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays (8:00 a.m.).

* Itakpe to Warri: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays (12:00 p.m.).

* Eastern Narrow Gauge: The Port Harcourt–Aba service remains fully operational on its regular schedule, ensuring the South-East stays moving.

These details are contained in a statement signed by the NRC Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu.

Osun free rides

In a heart-warming partnership, the NRC and the Osun State Government are bringing back the Imole Special Train.

Indigenes of Osun State can travel from Iddo Station in Lagos to Osogbo free of charge. This initiative, fully sponsored by the state, aims to ease the financial burden on families during the festive season.

“This special arrangement is designed to accommodate increased passenger traffic… ensuring a safe, reliable, and efficient rail transport service,” stated Callistus Unyimadu, NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer.

Tips for travellers

To ensure your trip is as smooth as the tracks, the NRC recommends:

* Arrive Early: Be at the station well ahead of your departure time.

* Verify Tickets: Ensure you follow all official ticketing and security protocols.

* Check the Date: Remember that the Lagos-Ibadan special three-trip schedule is for March 19 only before reverting to normal service.