The Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has announced an upcoming nationwide railway expansion project that promises to significantly enhance regional connectivity, with the South-West, North-Central, South-East, and North-East among the major beneficiaries.
He stressed that the South-West phase of the expansion plans is nearly finalised.
Speaking during an interview on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television, Opeifa revealed that the federal government is finalising plans to connect more cities by rail than ever before in Nigeria’s history. States like Lagos are already utilising track access, with others including Kaduna, Niger, and Ogun actively participating or preparing for integration into the national network.
“In the current budget, 400 billion naira has been allocated to support state rail development,” Opeifa stated, noting that grants are being disbursed to encourage state-level infrastructure efforts. He emphasized that the recent move to shift railway development from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list has empowered states to develop their own rail systems with federal backing.
The South-West is already witnessing advancements with the Lagos Red Line and planned expansions into Ogun State. New projects such as the Jos-Bukuru line in Plateau State and proposed connections to Ilorin, Offa, and Minna also signal broader national reach.
The rail expansion is expected to boost trade, ease transportation, create jobs, and accelerate regional development across Nigeria.
