Lagos: The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has urged state governments and the Railway Police Command to immediately intensify joint efforts to safeguard rail infrastructure nationwide.
Managing Director Kayode Opeifa made the call in a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos.
Opeifa said the Railway Police Command operates across 26 states and urged governments to recognise the unit as part of their security architecture.
He stressed that protecting rail infrastructure not only secures the country’s mobility corridors but also boosts economic activity and supports safe, efficient transportation for people and goods.
According to him, the railway is a critical national asset that cuts across many states and supports national development.
Drawing from his experience as a former Lagos commissioner, Opeifa recalled how the Police assisted the state government during the clean-up of Oshodi.
He said the operation demonstrated the importance of inter-agency cooperation in protecting public assets.
He said NRC’s history mirrors Nigeria’s, and its current challenges reflect national ones.
Opeifa said the modern overhaul began in 2015 with the construction of new rail lines.
He credited the Muhammadu Buhari administration with commissioning projects, including the Abuja–Kaduna Railway, the Warri–Itakpe Railway, and the Lagos–Ibadan Railway.
He added that the government started additional key rail corridors and urban transit systems.
Opeifa noted that moving the railway from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List enabled states such as Lagos, Kano, Ogun and Plateau to participate in rail development.
Opeifa emphasised that the key goal is to strengthen collaboration between states and police to securely develop railways that drive national integration and economic growth, and align with global practices.
He noted that in many developed countries, railway infrastructure is considered social infrastructure, and that Nigeria’s rail system serves a similar role.
“Railway is an enabler of growth and federal investments in projects across Lagos, Kano and Kaduna states reflect their strategic economic importance,” he said.
Opeifa disclosed that the corporation had developed a national rail map linking state rail systems with the national network.
Highlighting the eastern corridor, he described the main station in Enugu as a massive facility with underground structures.
He noted that the corridor once contributed significantly to national revenue.
Looking ahead, Opeifa said the corporation planned to electrify major rail corridors within five years, starting with the Warri-Lagos corridor.
He said gas availability in the areas could support power generation for electric rail operations.
On ticket racketeering, Opeifa acknowledged the challenge but said new verification procedures had reduced the practice, making ticketing fairer and improving travellers’ confidence.
Passengers now undergo double checks at waiting areas and during boarding to curb illegal ticket sales.
He also reassured passengers of strong security along the Abuja–Kaduna Railway corridor.
According to him, train movements and station activities are monitored from a central control room.
He said the corporation plans to replicate similar monitoring systems across other rail lines nationwide.
