The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has commenced a comprehensive review of more than 150 Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) as part of efforts to strengthen railway safety, improve operational efficiency and enhance service delivery across its network.

Speaking at a two-day Executive Standard Operating Procedure Review and Familiarisation Retreat in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, said the initiative is aimed at institutionalising best practices and ensuring greater accountability across the corporation’s operations.

Represented by the Head of the Business Process Efficiency and Due Diligence (BuPED) Desk, Oyekunle Oyewole, Opeifa described standard operating procedures as practical tools that clearly define responsibilities and operational processes for all categories of staff.

According to him, the review will help standardise operations, minimise operational risks, improve safety and align the corporation’s activities with international railway standards.

He urged directors and other participants to critically evaluate the existing procedures and develop practical, enforceable guidelines capable of supporting the corporation’s transformation agenda.

The retreat, which began aboard the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service conference coach before continuing in Abeokuta, brought together directors, deputy directors, assistant directors, management staff and members of the BuPED team.

Oyewole disclosed that more than 150 operational procedures are being reviewed to build a more efficient and effective railway organisation. He added that greater collaboration among departments would strengthen teamwork and improve overall performance.

Technical Adviser to the Managing Director on Train Operations, Adeife Akin Olukolade, described the SOPs as living documents that should be updated regularly to reflect the evolving nature of railway operations.

Drawing on over two decades of railway experience across three continents, Olukolade said codifying the procedures would position the NRC for improved operational excellence.

The Director of Operations, Akin Oshinowo, said the revised procedures are expected to reduce operational incidents, improve efficiency, promote consistency in service delivery, strengthen regulatory compliance and encourage a proactive work culture.

He also assured staff that management would provide the necessary support for the effective implementation of the revised procedures.

Delivering the first technical paper at the retreat, the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Dr. Monsurat Omotayo, stressed the importance of continuous staff training, effective leadership, a culture of compliance and performance measurement in ensuring successful implementation of the SOPs.

During discussions, participants emphasised the need for strict compliance by all categories of staff.

The Director of Civil Engineering and New Lines, Adekunle Ayeni, said behavioural change and effective consequence management would be essential to successful implementation, advocating a system of rewards for compliance and sanctions for violations.

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Managing Director on Media and Strategic Communication, Adeyinka Aderibigbe, described the retreat as a major milestone, expressing confidence that the revised document would become a reference point for railway operators and service providers.

The Deputy Director of Finance, Alhaji Abdullah, noted that the exercise marks the first time the corporation has developed a comprehensive operational manual through contributions from key departments, making it more practical and easier to implement.

The review covered procedures for the Corporate Planning, Medical, Finance, Legal, Internal Audit, Information and Communications Technology, Procurement, Operations and Commercial, Civil Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, Signal and Telecommunications, and Human Resources departments.

Closing the retreat, Omotayo commended participants for their contributions and urged them to maintain the momentum as the corporation moves towards implementing the revised operating procedures.