Kayode Opeifa
Nigerian Railway Corporation ranks among top 10 GDP contributors in 2025 – Opeifa
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has emerged as one of the top 10 contributors to Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025, according to its Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa.
Dr. Opeifa, citing the latest National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report, said the corporation ranked among the leading revenue-generating federal ministries, departments and agencies. Speaking during an interview, he identified vandalism, infrastructure washouts, and inadequate funding as major challenges from the past year.
He noted that while the Federal Government has consistently provided funding beyond the NRC’s internal revenue, additional resources are required for optimal capacity. Opeifa confirmed that both the narrow-gauge and standard-gauge rail systems are currently operational nationwide. The corporation is undertaking an aggressive recovery and rehabilitation of locomotives, wagons, and other rolling stock to improve efficiency.
As part of a transition to cleaner energy, the NRC plans to deploy Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)-powered trains on the Lagos–Ibadan and Warri–Itakpe corridors once gas infrastructure is available. Opeifa revealed the corporation has completed its LNG proof-of-concept phase and successfully demonstrated the technology for one month. He stated that, pending regulatory approvals and installed gas systems, LNG will be used to generate electricity for train operations, aligning with Nigeria’s gas expansion agenda to reduce costs and enhance energy security.
Beyond energy transition, Opeifa outlined plans to significantly expand Nigeria’s rail network. He said the NRC will soon unveil a national rail roadmap aimed at increasing the country’s rail lines from about 4,000 kilometres to 10,000 kilometres within five years, with a long-term target of 20,000 kilometres over two decades. He stressed that achieving these targets requires strong private-sector participation, as government funding alone is insufficient. The Federal Government, he said, is open to concessioning arrangements, partnerships, and willing to provide sovereign guarantees for investments.
Despite security challenges, Opeifa said rail operations have continued nationwide, commending technical personnel for sustaining services. He called for greater community ownership of rail assets as a deterrent to vandalism, particularly along the Warri–Itakpe corridor where repeated attacks have necessitated extensive track replacements.
Looking ahead, the NRC plans to introduce more digital systems and expand major corridors, including completing the Lagos–Kano line, the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri route, and the Ajaokuta–Abuja connection to enhance north-south movement. Opeifa also disclosed collaborations with several state governments, including Lagos, Zamfara, Plateau, Niger, and Ogun, to improve rail asset utilisation.
He added that private sector participation in rail logistics is growing, with about 28 licensed logistics companies operating on NRC tracks to move goods from Apapa Port to various destinations. Private operators with their own locomotives and rolling stock are granted track access at no additional cost, with increased rail usage directly benefiting the economy.
Reflecting on his first year in office, Opeifa described the corporation’s initial state as being in “intensive care,” but said reforms and staff cooperation have restored investor confidence.
About The Author
