On a quiet Sunday in Abuja, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, faced journalists with news that could reshape train services across the nation.
The Apology
The NRC boss began with an apology.
In a rare act of humility, Dr. Opeifa admitted his mistake and apologised to the Nigerian media, especially to NTA journalist Comrade Ladi Bala, whom he had verbally assaulted after the Abuja-Kaduna derailment.
That moment of honesty cleared the air before he shared the Corporation’s new direction.
The NRC, he explained, has started a comprehensive review of its major services, including Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan, Warri-Itakpe, and Port Harcourt-Aba.
Beyond these, efforts are in motion to revive the Lagos-Kano-Baro narrow-gauge corridor.
The aim is to move freight, cargo, and farm produce more easily across the country.
Old locomotives and long-abandoned coaches are being refurbished, ready to return to the tracks.
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Dr. Opeifa also encouraged state governments to use underutilised national rail lines for their own transport schemes.
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Lagos has already launched its Red Line, Plateau is working on “Railing on the Plateau,” and Niger State is developing a special rail plan for agriculture.
One of the boldest ideas is the “Freight Revolution by Rail.
In his words: “This plan will connect rail services more closely with the Lagos Port Complex.
If successful, it will reduce transport costs, lower the price of goods, and take pressure off Nigeria’s busy highways.
He also spoke about the Track Access Programme (TAP), which opens the door for private operators to run passenger and freight trains on national rail assets.
Already, the Lagos Red Line and CCECC’s freight operations are taking advantage of this new opportunity.
But safety, he stressed, is at the heart of everything.
A nationwide track restoration and safety audit has started.
At the same time, the NRC is partnering with the Railway Heritage Infrastructure Fund to design a roadmap for completing unfinished rail projects.
The bigger picture is the creation of a “New NRC.”
A New System
This restructured system, built with international best practices, is aligned with the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda for transport.
Dr. Opeifa ended with determination: “The Asham accident was a setback, but it has not changed our mission.
This 127-year-old institution is rising again.”
For many listening that day, it was more than a speech.
It was a new beginning for Nigeria’s railways.
