NRC, Plateau sign MoU to revive Jos–Kuru train

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and Plateau State Government have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to restore and operate the historic Jos–Kuru rail corridor.

The agreement was signed at the NRC Lagos headquarters on Monday by the Commissioner for Transportation in Plateau State, Mr Jatau Davou, and the NRC Managing Director, Dr Kayode Opeifa.

This is contained in a statement by the NRC Media Team, adding that it marks a significant milestone in efforts to boost economic activity, reduce transportation costs, and improve mobility in Plateau State and beyond.

Davou, who represented the Plateau State Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang, expressed profound gratitude to the Minister of Transportation, Hon. Said Ahmed Alkali, and the new NRC Managing Director, Dr Opeifa, for their unwavering support despite numerous challenges.

He said, “This is not just about rail transportation; it is about restoring hope and economic prosperity to our people. “We appreciate the United Nations for debunking negative narratives about our dear state and reaffirming our commitment to national development.”

Jos–Kuru line, according to the statement, a segment of the historic Kafanchan–Kuru route, will serve as a vital link between the Western and Eastern rail corridors.

It will connect local communities, support farmers and traders with efficient cargo movement, and ultimately drive down the cost and duration of travel within the state.

“While the service will initially operate on the existing narrow gauge, plans are underway to expand to modern standard gauge networks as part of a broader national railway modernisation programme,” it stated.

In his remarks, Opeifa emphasized the importance of federal-state cooperation in infrastructure development, lauding the Plateau State government’s proactive role in restoring the once-abandoned rail tracks.

“This partnership demonstrates how government at all levels can collaborate beyond politics, to deliver tangible benefits to Nigerians.

We’re not just bringing trains; we’re bringing back dignity, economic empowerment, and national integration,” Opeifa added.

He also clarified that recent reports of railway assets being stolen were misinformed.

“Those coaches were not stolen. They were redeployed to Plateau where they are now being rehabilitated and put to productive use.”

With the NRC committing to station a dedicated business manager in Plateau to oversee operations, the project is expected to generate jobs, stimulate local businesses, and offer new advertising and entertainment opportunities through train services, the statement added.

He disclosed that the Minister of Transportation, Alkali, threw his full weight behind this project, reaffirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and pledging the full support of the Federal Government in ensuring that it delivered full dividends of rail services to the average Nigerians who badly needed these services.

Opeifa said, “We will continue to (provide functional) rail across Nigeria — from Jos to Borno, from Aba to Port Harcourt, and everywhere in between. This is a new dawn for Nigerian rail.”

He said he looked forward to the commencement of commercial operation on the corridor anytime soon, in order to assure the people of the Plateau of the commitment of the FG under the Tinubu administration to take rail transportation all parts of Nigeria.

NRC ready for Lagos-Kano cargo train services – Opeifa

…says railway properties are national assets not scrap

Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation Dr Kayode Opeifa has declared that the Western district is ready for cargo train movement between Lagos and Kano on the narrow gauge.

He stated this at Dugbe, the Ibadan Narrow Gauge Train Station, after inspecting Moniya Freight Park, in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the tour of operations on the Western Line, as part of his inspection of all districts which commenced on Friday.

The NRC MD also stressed that no property of the corporation should be seen as scrap but critical national assets that must be treasured, according to a statement released the NRC MD media team.

He said, “The essence of this tour is to enable us to access our readiness to handle the cargo side of our business as business and logistics facilitator.
“We are happy with the extent of what we have seen and we can comfortably say we are ready to move any manner of cargo for any of our customers.”

Opeifa had commenced the tour from the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station at Ebute Metta, Lagos, where he inspected the facilities available for passengers’ convenience.
At his next stop at Omi Adio, he inspected the facility being put in place to establish another cargo park there. He directed the acquisition of more land around the proposed dry port area to provide for anticipated business the dry port would be processing when the business finally comes on stream.
Opeifa was joined on the inspection at the Ladoke Akintola Train Station, Omi Adio, by the Director General of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN Commission) Dr. Seye Oyeleye, who expressed the readiness to work with the NRC to reactivate the narrow gauge line within some of the states in the South-West for mass transportation.
The inspection took NRC boss and his management team to the Obafemi Awolowo Train Station, Moniya and the Moniya Cargo Park, where he inspected the readiness of the port to facilitate cargo business.
He also inspected the Western District Headquarters at Dugbe, Ibadan, where he charged the workers to double their efforts and improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the railway.
“I can approve an improvement in your allowances once we improve our IGR. So let us be committed to doubling our efforts,” he said.
Opeifa said the management wt determined to recommence cargo commitment from Lagos to Kano, even as he said he would be at Ibadan to flag off the Dugbe end of the movement once the service begins.
He also commended all railway women, urging them to continue to prove their mettle in keeping the wheel of the rail going.
Addressing the welfare of pensioners, Opeifa said the corporation would continue to work at improving their welfare.
“I don’t need to be told, I can feel so many things and I can only assure you that the management will continue to work at improving your living conditions,” he said.
He reiterated his call for vandals to stop sabotaging the corporation’s effort at improving its services.
“Let me emphasize again that there are no scraps in the Nigerian Railway Corporation. All we have are rail materials. All our materials are in serviceable conditions.
“From here we are moving cement from Ewekoro to Osogbo and to Ilorin. All these wagons you see, all these rail sleepers, all the iron are still working and all security operatives have been directed to arrest and prosecute anyone caught vandalising our property.
“No one is permitted to carry our materials. No letter of approval is sufficient to allow anyone to do so, security operatives should put a call across to us to enable us authenticate such activity,” he said.

Lagos Govt to redesign Oshodi motor park for rail integration

The Lagos State Government has announced plans to redesign the Oshodi Transport Interchange (OTI) to integrate the facility with the Red Line and Blue Line rail systems, advancing its Rail Mass Transit project.

This initiative aims to deliver seamless connectivity between the two key rail networks and enhance commuters’ experience in Lagos.

The disclosure was conveyed via a statement shared on the official X (formerly Twitter) account of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation on Saturday, highlighting the need to optimize the design and operations of the OTI to boost efficiency and align with global standards.

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To kickstart the process, the Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Seun Osiyemi, held a meeting with stakeholders to assess the current state of the interchange and outline strategies for its improvement.

“The Ministry of Transportation sought to address the ongoing developments and challenges affecting the Oshodi Transport Interchange (OTI) in preparedness for the integration of the Rail Mass transit system; Red Line rail project connecting the Blue Line.

“The Ministry recognized that a review of the OTI’s design and operations is essential for its optimization which led to the Honourable Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi meeting with relevant Stakeholders to discuss the current state of the OTI and identify viable solutions that would enhance its operational efficiency in alignment with global standards and Standard Operating Procedures,” the statement read in part.

Lagos Govt to redesign Oshodi motor park for rail integration