Nigerian Railway, SWDC plan Osogbo–Erunmu, Idogo lines reopening to boost food supply, trade

Nigerian Railway, SWDC plan Osogbo–Erunmu, Idogo lines reopening to boost food supply, trade

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced plans to revive the Osogbo–Dagbolu–Erunmu and Idogo railway corridors as part of a major push to strengthen regional trade, food distribution and agricultural productivity across the Southwest.

In a statement, the NRC said the project would be executed in partnership with the Southwest Development Commission (SWDC).

According to the commission, the two rail lines—long abandoned—will be dedicated primarily to freight services, enabling the movement of agricultural produce from rural communities to Lagos markets while returning consumer goods to the hinterland. SWDC Managing Director, Charles Diji Akinola, described the corridors as “critical arteries for regional commerce and food security.”

Akinola said the commission’s immediate plan is to operate some of the old, unserved routes under a profit-sharing arrangement, with subsidy options to support smallholder farmers and stimulate agricultural output.

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He noted that the medium-term agenda includes securing operational and track access licences for additional routes, attracting private-sector investors, constructing warehouses along the rail corridors, and developing new spurs to link all Southwest states to the national rail grid.

“Our push for rail revival is inspired by the extensive groundwork earlier done by the DAWN Commission on infrastructure and transport development across the Southwest,” Akinola said. “Regional rail connectivity remains central to the economic revitalisation of the zone.”

The Osogbo–Dagbolu–Erunmu line and the Idogo corridor, he added, are priority routes as the commission intensifies efforts to improve food movement and guarantee food security.

NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, reaffirmed the corporation’s readiness to collaborate with SWDC, federal agencies and private investors under initiatives such as the Track Access Programme and Railing With the States, which allow sub-national entities to utilise national rail corridors.

Opeifa said NRC directors have already been directed to work with SWDC’s technical team to develop the Memorandum of Understanding required to bring the lines back to life.

“The revival of these strategic routes aligns with our broader commitment to expand freight rail services and support regional development,” he added.

 

Nigerian Railway, SWDC plan Osogbo–Erunmu, Idogo lines reopening to boost food supply, trade