NRC Opens Railway Network to Private Operators, Invites Firms to Run Own Trains

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has invited private companies to operate their own passenger and freight trains on the country’s existing railway network as part of efforts to encourage private-sector investment and improve railway transportation.

The Managing Director of the NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, disclosed the development at the BusinessDay Mobility and Logistics Conference in Lagos.

He explained that the corporation was introducing a track-access arrangement that would allow qualified private operators to use existing railway infrastructure by providing their own locomotives, wagons and other rolling stock while paying the required access fees.

Opeifa noted that the initiative would enable the NRC to expand railway operations beyond government-owned services, improve efficiency and attract additional investment into the transportation sector.

He cited the Lagos State Government as one of the beneficiaries of the arrangement through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).

He also disclosed that the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) had obtained a three-year licence to operate a privately managed railway freight service, becoming the first foreign private contractor authorised to operate standard-gauge freight services in Nigeria.

The NRC further outlined plans to rehabilitate the Lagos-Kano narrow-gauge railway and reconstruct the Baro-Minna railway line to improve the movement of agricultural produce and industrial goods.

Under its Vision 2:5:10:20 development framework, the corporation is targeting an expansion of the national railway network from approximately 4,000 kilometres to 10,000 kilometres by 2028, with a long-term ambition of reaching 20,000 kilometres.

The initiative is expected to create opportunities for private investment, strengthen freight transportation, improve passenger mobility and support economic activities across the country.