The Nigerian Railway Corporation recently expressed its willingness to work with the Southwest Development Commission to develop a Memorandum of Understanding for the revival and operationalisation of old, unserved railway routes in order to strengthen regional rail connectivity. This was confirmed by the Managing Director, Dr Kayode Opeifa.
Hosting the top management of the SWDC, led by its Managing Director, Mr Charles Diji Akinola, Dr Opeifa said the corporation is open for business and welcomes the Commission’s ambition to become a strong player in the rail sector.
He noted that the NRC is pleased to see the SWDC continue the work previously driven by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission in developing a regional rail master plan for the southwest states.
Earlier, Akinola stated that the Commission had been inspired by DAWN’s extensive work in infrastructure and rail development across the six southwest states. He emphasised that regional rail connectivity is essential to the economic revitalisation of the region.
Outlining the Commission’s phased approach to rail infrastructure development, Akinola explained that in the short term, the SWDC is seeking to have certain old, unserviced routes in the southwest ceded to it on a profit-sharing basis. He highlighted the Commission’s interest in reactivating the Osogbo–Dagbolu–Erunmu route, while also identifying the Idogo route as critical for enhancing food security.
Akinola observed that three southwest states, Lagos, Oyo and Osun, are currently served by rail. He said the Commission intends to maximise these corridors by transporting foodstuffs to Lagos and moving consumer goods from Lagos to the southwest.
He added that the SWDC believes these routes will stimulate economic development across the region and may warrant subsidy mechanisms to support local communities. The Idogo line, he said, plays an important role in moving farm produce to high-demand markets in Lagos.
Looking to the medium term, Akinola said the Commission will seek operational and track access licences for new routes. He noted that the SWDC is engaging investors interested in running regional rail services, building on DAWN’s earlier initiatives. The Commission is also willing to construct new spurs linking all southwest states to the national network, thereby supporting increased activity at facilities such as the dry port at Omi Adio and Moniya.
Akinola further requested land approvals to facilitate warehouse development for private-sector operators, citing the successful example of a siding established at Dagbolu in Osun. He called for the establishment of a technical team with the NRC to initiate the Commission’s plans. He also confirmed that the SWDC enjoys the full backing of the southwest governors and stressed that the rail revival would significantly boost the regional economy.
In response, Dr Opeifa reaffirmed the NRC’s commitment to collaborating with federal agencies and sub-national bodies to deepen railway penetration in line with the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He highlighted rail’s role as a major driver of economic development and national integration, noting that similar commissions, such as the Southeast Development Commission, have approached the NRC for cooperation on reactivating the Eastern routes.
He added that the Niger State government is also making strong efforts to revive the northern section of the Lagos–Kano western line, aligning with SWDC’s interest in improving agricultural freight movements between Lagos and the North.
Dr Opeifa confirmed that the NRC is processing SWDC’s request for an operating track access licence and has directed all NRC directors to work with the SWDC technical team to develop an appropriate MOU. He emphasised that with railway legislation now moved from the Exclusive to the Concurrent List, the Federal Government and NRC no longer hold a monopoly over the sector, enabling development commissions, state governments and private-sector operators to participate fully.
He highlighted the NRC’s Track Access Programme, which allows all state governments to partner with the corporation and use national rail corridors at no additional cost under the NRC’s optimisation initiatives and the “Railing with the States” programme. Under this programme, he said, the NRC would be pleased to collaborate with all six southwest states through the SWDC.
The joint delegation later visited the Lagos Iddo Terminal, which is undergoing renovation, and the Mobolaji Johnson Station at Ebute Metta.
