The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has called for stronger collaboration between state governments and the Railway Police to enhance the protection of rail infrastructure across the country.
Speaking during an interview on Sunrise Daily on Channels Television on Saturday, March 7, 2026, Opeifa noted that the Railway Police currently operates in 26 states, stressing that state governments should regard the unit as part of their broader security architecture and support its operations.
According to him, the security of railway infrastructure is closely tied to the safety of mobility corridors across the country. He described the railway system as a critical national asset that cuts across many states and plays a vital role in Nigeria’s economic development.
Drawing from his experience as a former Commissioner in Lagos State, Opeifa recalled how the Railway Police supported the state government during the cleanup of the Oshodi area, demonstrating the importance of inter-agency cooperation in safeguarding public assets.
“The history of the Nigerian Railway Corporation is the history of Nigeria itself,” he said, noting that the challenges facing the railway system mirror broader national issues.
The NRC Managing Director also traced the evolution of Nigeria’s modern rail development, explaining that a major overhaul of the system began in 2015 with the introduction of standard gauge rail lines. He credited the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari with commissioning key projects such as the Abuja–Kaduna Railway, Warri–Itakpe Railway, Abuja Rail Mass Transit and the Lagos–Ibadan Railway, as well as initiating the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri rail corridor.
Opeifa further highlighted the constitutional amendment that moved railway from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List, explaining that the development now allows states such as Lagos State, Kano State, Ogun State and Plateau State to participate more actively in railway development.
He said his priority as Managing Director is to ensure that the NRC functions as a major driver of national integration and economic growth while aligning operations with international best practices.
According to him, many developed countries treat railway infrastructure as social infrastructure, noting that Nigeria’s rail system already plays a similar role by facilitating mobility and stimulating economic activities across regions.
“Railway is an enabler of growth,” he said, adding that the Federal Government’s investments in rail projects across states such as Lagos, Kano and Kaduna are largely due to their strategic economic importance.
Opeifa also disclosed that the NRC has developed a national rail map that clearly shows how state rail systems can connect with the national network to improve connectivity across the country.
Highlighting developments along the eastern corridor, he described the Enugu main railway station as a massive and well-designed facility with underground structures, recalling that the corridor once contributed significantly to national revenue.
Looking ahead, the NRC boss revealed plans to electrify major rail corridors within the next five years, beginning with Warri and Lagos, where the availability of gas could support power generation for electric train operations.
On concerns about ticket racketeering, Opeifa acknowledged that the problem exists largely due to high passenger demand but explained that the corporation has introduced additional verification procedures to curb the practice.
Passengers, he said, now undergo double checks—first at the waiting area and again during boarding—a system that has significantly reduced illegal ticket sales.
He also reassured passengers of the high level of security along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor, noting that train movements and station activities are monitored from a central control room.
According to him, similar security and monitoring systems will soon be replicated on other rail lines nationwide.
Opeifa further announced that the number of daily trips on the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service has been increased to three to meet rising passenger demand.
He added that the NRC is also exploring the tourism and entertainment potential of railway services, assuring that the corporation will continue to expand its operations and improve service delivery until it achieves its long-term development targets.