The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has signed a Track Sharing Agreement and presented a Permanent Operating Licence to the Lagos State Government, marking a significant step towards expanding rail transportation services in the state.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, said the partnership with the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority is aimed at maximising the use of existing rail infrastructure and enhancing public transportation services.
Opeifa explained that the collaboration aligns with the corporation’s strategic objective of optimising rail assets, strengthening partnerships with state governments and advancing its track access programme. He noted that the Lagos-Ibadan rail corridor, one of the few double-track rail lines in the country, remains underutilised despite its significant capacity.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director of LAMATA, Abimbola Akinajo, said rail commuters in Lagos will benefit from increased train services following the formalisation of the operating and track access licences.
Akinajo stated that the milestone is the result of years of collaboration, negotiations, training and safety assessments between both organisations to ensure full compliance with railway operational standards.
According to her, the agreement grants LAMATA access rights to operate on NRC tracks, particularly along the corridor shared with the Lagos-Ibadan railway line, while maintaining strict safety requirements and operational standards.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Director of Operations at the NRC, Akin Oshinowo, highlighted the longstanding partnership between the NRC and LAMATA, describing the agreement as a major boost for rail transportation development in Lagos.
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