Kayode Opeifa, NRC managing director (L), speaking during The Exchange podcast
Kayode Opeifa, managing director (MD) of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), says plans are underway to revive the old narrow-gauge rail network.
Speaking on Sunday at The Exchange podcast, Opeifa said it remains a vital transport system for millions of Nigerians and the plan will rehabilitate the old rail network and reconnect communities that have stayed isolated for decades due to collapsed rail services.
The MD described reviving the narrow-gauge rail system as a national need that requires urgent restoration, especially for rural Nigerians.
He said the corporation is fast-tracking rehabilitation works on key narrow-gauge corridors like Lagos–Kano and Port Harcourt–Maiduguri lines, which support agriculture and small-scale trade.
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“The narrow gauge is still relevant. Many communities were built around it. People depend on it for moving goods, livestock, produce, and even themselves,” the MD said.
“Bringing it back to life is not optional, it is necessary.”
Opeifa added that reviving the narrow-gauge rail system will unlock trade, mobility, and social interaction, and offer immediate and cost-effective gains by using existing infrastructure.
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“When a train resumes operations in a place, the entire community wakes up,” he said..
“Markets grow, farmers can move goods, and people can travel freely. You will see life return almost instantly.”
Opeifa assured that the narrow-gauge network will remain an affordable transport option for low- and middle-income Nigerians, unlike the modern rail systems built for speed and efficiency.
“The narrow gauge is the people’s railway. It has to remain affordable. People should be able to move without worrying about high fares,” he added.
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Opeifa said the corporation is improving security through better communication tools, digital monitoring systems, and community partnerships to detect threats early.
Also, the MD asked the public to appreciate railway workers, and said there are plans to train young engineers and technicians to ensure continuity as veteran staff retire.
Opeifa added that the President Bola Tinubu administration is committed to a rail strategy that blends modern expansion with the restoration of Nigeria’s historical rail network.
The NRC in March announced that its south-west section is ready to commence cargo train movement on the narrow gauge route between the Lagos and Kano states.
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