The managing director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has revealed that the federal government is set to unveil an ambitious railway expansion plan aimed at connecting more cities across the country than ever before.
Speaking on Saturday during an interview on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, Opeifa disclosed that the upcoming rail projects will significantly improve national connectivity and enable state-level participation in rail development.
“States are now receiving federal grants to develop their own rail lines. For instance, Lagos State is already utilizing track access on the Red Line,” he said.
He further highlighted that Kaduna is preparing to join the network, while Niger State is collaborating on the narrow-gauge lines, though recent flooding in Mokwa had temporarily disrupted progress.
“We had planned to extend services to Minna, Ilorin, and Offa during the recent festival period, and the states involved are actively supporting that initiative,” Opeifa added.
States Take the Lead in Rail Development
The NRC chief also referenced the rail link in Ogun State and new projects like the Jos–Bukuru line in Plateau State, made possible due to recent constitutional reforms.
“Thanks to this administration, rail transportation has been moved from the exclusive to the concurrent legislative list,” he explained. “This empowers states to initiate and develop rail infrastructure independently, and they’re being supported with federal grants.”
He revealed that the current federal budget includes ₦400 billion dedicated to supporting state-level rail projects, with several states already benefiting from the allocation.
Nationwide Expansion Underway
Opeifa emphasized the federal government’s continued responsibility to ensure nationwide rail connectivity, noting that while states are now active players, the national government is still committed to linking cities across the country.
He said that significant progress is being made, especially in the Southwest, and that development plans are underway for the Southeast and Northeast regions.
“This government is making sure the burden of infrastructure is shared, but no Nigerian will be left out of the benefits,” he concluded.
