Dr. Kayode Opeifa, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), has confirmed that the long-awaited Kaduna-Kano rail project is anticipated to commence operations in 2026. He further mentioned that the Lagos-Kano-Maradi route is scheduled for completion in 2027.
Opeifa made these remarks during a recent exclusive interview while leading his management team on a courtesy visit to the Media Trust Group headquarters in Abuja.
He stated, "The Kano-Maradi project is expected to be completed by 2027 and forms part of the LAKAJI initiative, which stands for Lagos-Kano-Jibiya Project. In contrast, the Kaduna-Kano express line is set to finish within this year. Both projects are actively being overseen by the Federal Ministry of Transportation. The Minister often shares updates about the train services, indicating that once fully operational, Nigerians will benefit from travel routes linking Abuja to Lagos and Abuja to Kano."
He elaborated that regional commerce will benefit significantly, allowing traders in neighboring nations like Niger to transport goods from Lagos port directly into the Republic of Niger. "This will position Nigeria as a key mobility hub for landlocked countries in the Sahel region,” he remarked.
Opeifa also discussed the ongoing issues concerning the Lagos-Kano narrow gauge express service, which has been temporarily suspended. He cited numerous track washouts along the route and existing security challenges in regions like Niger and Kwara, which both state governments are addressing. However, he emphasized that the primary concern impacting the Lagos-Kano service is the washouts affecting multiple sections of the railway, notably in Mokwa and similar locations.
"Efforts are underway in Kaduna to resolve these issues as we secure the required resources to do so. We estimate six months for a full repair. In the interim, we are maintaining service between Lagos and Oshogbo for the Salah festivities, and we are considering extending services to Ilorin, though we might restrict travel beyond Mokwa until that area is repaired due to washouts, which are currently our top priority," he noted.
Regarding the timing adjustments on the Abuja-Kaduna train service, Opeifa indicated an upcoming enhancement where they aim to increase operations to three daily trips. Following this upgrade, there will be departures from Abuja and Kaduna at alternating times. He also mentioned plans to ensure the return of the second train as a medium-term goal, emphasizing that such procurement typically demands a timeframe ranging from 12 to 15 months.
On tackling the issue of ticket racketeering, he mentioned that the NRC has implemented a double-layer screening process that has effectively reduced this challenge in the service.
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