NRC Moves to Standardise Hygiene for Clean Trains, Safer Journeys Nationwide

NRC Moves to Standardise Hygiene for Clean Trains, Safer Journeys Nationwide

 

In a move that signals a shift from routine maintenance to passenger-focused service delivery, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has rolled out a nationwide cleanliness protocol aimed at raising safety, comfort and global competitiveness across its rail network.

At the heart of the initiative is a newly introduced Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that sets uniform rules for cleaning train coaches and railway stations—an area the Corporation now describes as critical to operational success, not just aesthetics.

 

The SOP was unveiled in Lagos during a hands-on workshop that brought together cleaning contractors from across the country, marking what NRC management calls a “milestone” in repositioning the rail system.

 

Managing Director Kayode Opeifa made it clear that sanitation is no longer a back-end function but a frontline performance metric. According to him, the modern rail experience goes beyond punctuality, extending to how safe, clean and comfortable passengers feel from station to coach.

 

“Passengers judge us not only by our schedules but by the environment we provide,” he said, stressing that public confidence in rail transport is closely tied to visible hygiene standards.

 

The workshop, organised by the Corporation’s Business Processes, Efficiency and Due Diligence (BuPED) unit, also introduced a set of Quality Control Cleaning Codes designed to eliminate inconsistencies across locations and operators. For the 24 service providers in attendance, compliance is no longer optional—future contract evaluations will hinge strictly on adherence to the new benchmarks.

Director of BuPED, Oyekunle Oyewole, noted that the new regime would enforce measurable performance standards, ensuring that every contractor operates with the same level of professionalism nationwide.

Beyond immediate improvements, the NRC is positioning the reform as part of a broader strategy to prepare for an expanding rail network.

With new corridors such as Kano–Kaduna and Ibadan–Ilorin in the pipeline, the corporation is building what it describes as a multi-billion-naira ecosystem—one where service providers who meet today’s standards will play key roles in tomorrow’s operations.

The message from the NRC is clear: in the next phase of Nigeria’s rail revival, cleanliness is not cosmetic—it is core to safety, efficiency and passenger trust.