The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), yesterday, signed an agreement with the Lagos State Government to optimise existing rail infrastructure, expand access to affordable transportation and strengthen national integration.

The agreement borders on a permanent operating licence and track access licence between the NRC and Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).

Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, said that the initiative aligns with the Corporation’s strategic vision to maximise the country’s underutilised rail assets.

According to him, one of the key pillars of the NRC’s eight flagship programmes is the optimisation of existing infrastructure, alongside strengthening partnerships with state governments and implementing a track access programme.

Opeifa noted that the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway corridor, which features a double-track system, remains one of the country’s most significant rail assets and is currently underutilised. The collaboration would enable millions of Lagos State residents and commuters from neighbouring Ogun State to access an integrated, affordable and efficient mass transit system.

He said that the arrangement would also reduce traffic congestion along major routes, including the Agege Motor Road and Ikorodu Road corridors, while allowing Lagos State Government to redirect resources to other transport infrastructure projects.

The NRC boss further said that the partnership would enable the Corporation to concentrate more on intercity and interstate rail transportation, while state governments manage commuter rail services within their jurisdictions.

Opeifa, however, disclosed that the Corporation had entered into similar partnerships with the Plateau State Government and is finalising arrangements with Zamfara State Government to deepen rail connectivity nationwide.

LAMATA Managing Director, Abimbola Akinajo, announced plans to increase its daily rail services on the Lagos Rail Mass Transit network from nine to 24 by September 1, 2026 to improve public transportation and ease traffic congestion in the state.

According to Akinajo, the additional services will be made possible through the deployment of three new trainsets procured with support from the Federal Government. Each trainset comprises eight coaches with the capacity to transport about 2,000 passengers per trip.

She noted that although the planned increase represents more than a doubling of current operations, it remains insufficient for a city with Lagos growing population and transportation needs.

Akinajo said that the operational and track access licences were granted after years of collaboration, negotiations, safety assessments, training and regulatory compliance with the NRC.

She added that the partnership between LAMATA and the NRC aligns with the Federal Government’s drive to maximise investments in railway infrastructure through efficient utilisation of existing assets.