NRC MD: Nigeria set to revive old narrow-gauge rail lines
Kayode Opeifa, managing director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), says the federal government is working to restore the country’s old narrow-gauge rail network.
Speaking on Sunday on The Exchange podcast, Opeifa said the narrow-gauge system remains essential to millions of Nigerians and that the revival plan aims to rehabilitate the network and reconnect communities that have been cut off for decades following the collapse of rail services.
The NRC boss described the restoration of the narrow-gauge lines as a national priority, particularly for rural communities that rely heavily on the system.
He said rehabilitation efforts are being accelerated on major corridors such as the Lagos–Kano and Port Harcourt–Maiduguri lines, which support agriculture and small-scale commerce.
“The narrow gauge is still relevant. Many communities were built around it. People depend on it for moving goods, livestock, produce, and even themselves,” Opeifa said.
“Bringing it back to life is not optional, it is necessary.”
According to him, reviving the system will boost trade, mobility, and social interaction, while delivering quick and cost-effective results since it relies on existing infrastructure.
“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.”
He also emphasized that the narrow gauge will remain an affordable mode of transportation for low- and middle-income Nigerians, unlike newer standard-gauge systems designed primarily for efficiency and speed.
“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.
Opeifa said the NRC is enhancing security using improved communication tools, digital monitoring systems, and partnerships with local communities to detect early threats.
He also urged the public to appreciate railway workers and noted that plans are underway to train young engineers and technicians to sustain operations as older staff retire.
Opeifa added that President Bola Tinubu’s administration is committed to a rail strategy that combines modern expansion with the restoration of the country’s historic rail network.
In March, the NRC announced that the southwest section of the narrow-gauge line between Lagos and Kano was ready to begin cargo train operations.
