NRC Targets Zamfara Rail Service Revival, Unveils Vision To Modernise Network

The managing director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, on Wednesday announced plans to reactivate several abandoned railway corridors that once played pivotal roles in Nigeria’s economic development.

Opeifa made this known during a courtesy visit by officials of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to the NRC headquarters in Lagos.

Speaking on the corporation’s long-term strategy, Opeifa reiterated the NRC’s Vision 2-5-10-20 development framework, designed to drive the modernisation and expansion of Nigeria’s railway network.

Under the plan, he disclosed that the corporation is working to reactivate the Kaduna-Nguru-Kaura Namoda corridor, with concrete steps underway to restore rail services to Zamfara State before the end of the year.

According to him, the first phase of the vision prioritises optimising existing legacy lines. He added that the corporation is championing a freight-by-rail revolution and strengthening its “Railing with the States” initiative, which enables state governments to leverage railway infrastructure for economic growth while enhancing connectivity between rail corridors and the nation’s seaports.

Looking ahead, Opeifa revealed that within the next five years, the NRC plans to begin transitioning from diesel-powered locomotives to cleaner energy sources such as gas, subject to resource availability. He also disclosed that the corporation aims to double Nigeria’s rail assets by 2035.

The NRC boss noted that the railway sector could have recorded greater milestones if corruption had not historically impeded its development. He therefore appealed to the ICPC to organize a capacity-building programme for the corporation’s Heads of Departments and senior management staff to strengthen their understanding of compliance standards and prevent errors of judgment in the discharge of their duties.

Opeifa identified vandalism of railway infrastructure as one of the corporation’s most pressing challenges, stressing that the destruction of critical rail assets continues to exert pressure on operations and service delivery.

As part of awareness efforts, he presented anti-vandalism sweatshirts to the ICPC delegation bearing the inscription: “Rails and railway assets are critical national treasures and not scraps.”

He emphasised that the corporation maintains a strict internal disciplinary regime, warning that any staff found culpable of collusion or sabotage faces immediate dismissal.

Opeifa, however, commended the dedication and resilience of NRC staff—particularly engineers—who, he said, have ensured uninterrupted rail services despite prevailing operational challenges.

Speaking earlier, the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RAAC), Lagos Office, Mr Alexander Chukwumah, said the ICPC is willing to support the corporation by providing training programmes for its workforce to help them identify and avoid practices that could expose them to corruption-related offences.

According to him, the initiative falls within the Commission’s public education and enlightenment mandate, aimed at encouraging Nigerians and public institutions to uphold integrity and avoid corruption.

He urged NRC management to work closely with the corporation’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), noting that the unit’s members have been trained to detect early warning signs and red flags that could help management prevent minor lapses from escalating into major institutional crises.