The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has called for stronger international partnerships and increased investments to accelerate the transformation of Nigeria's railway sector and position rail transport as a driver of sustainable economic growth.
Opeifa made the call while delivering a keynote address at the 10th Nigeria–EU Business Forum 2026 in Lagos during a thematic session on "Sustainable Transport in Nigeria – Global Gateway Opportunities for Partnerships."
He said investment in modern railway infrastructure had become critical to addressing rising freight demand, increasing logistics costs, road congestion and transport-related carbon emissions.
According to him, the NRC is implementing a strategic vision aimed at developing a modern, efficient and climate-resilient railway system capable of supporting industrialisation, facilitating trade, reducing the cost of doing business and strengthening regional connectivity.
The NRC boss said the corporation's transformation agenda is anchored on eight strategic pillars, including optimisation of existing railway assets, clean energy transition, freight-by-rail development, public-private partnerships through track access, collaboration with state governments, institutional reforms, human capacity development and the Vision 2:5:10:20 initiative.
Opeifa disclosed that the corporation has commenced several modernisation initiatives, including Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) locomotive conversion projects, partnerships for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversion of diesel-powered equipment, locomotive rehabilitation, track access agreements with eight private operators, rolling stock renewal, acquisition of heavy maintenance equipment and the integration of renewable energy into railway operations.
He also announced plans to progressively electrify Nigeria's railway corridors over the next two to five years through a partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) under the Rail Infrastructure Electrification Programme.
To support the transformation agenda, Opeifa identified investment opportunities worth about $200 million in areas such as clean energy transition, passenger rolling stock acquisition, locomotive rehabilitation, railway training institutes, heavy maintenance equipment, institutional reforms and the rehabilitation of the Lagos–Kano narrow gauge railway corridor.
He further highlighted five flagship projects requiring strategic partnerships, including the Lagos–Kano Narrow Gauge Rehabilitation Project, Freight by Rail Revolution, Locomotive Rehabilitation Programme, Rolling Stock Acquisition Initiative, and the Diesel-to-LNG Retrofit and LNG Production Plant project.
The NRC Managing Director invited European institutions, development partners and private investors to collaborate with the corporation in rolling stock acquisition, rail infrastructure, signalling systems, digital rail technology, green energy, research, innovation and railway skills development.
According to him, increased investment in the railway sector will reduce carbon emissions, improve road safety, create jobs, promote sustainable urban mobility and strengthen Nigeria's position as the economic gateway to West Africa.
The Nigeria–EU Business Forum brought together policymakers, government officials, investors, development finance institutions, transport experts, diplomats and multinational companies from Nigeria, Europe and other parts of the world to explore opportunities for investment and collaboration in the transport sector.
The NRC said its participation at the forum reflects its commitment to attracting strategic investments, fostering international cooperation and advancing the Federal Government's vision of building a modern railway system that supports long-term economic growth and sustainable development.
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