Nigerian Railway Corporation grants Lagos permanent rail operating license, ending 128-year monopoly

This marks a significant shift in Nigeria's rail transport sector, as the NRC had been the country's sole railway operator for 128 years since 1898. Dr. Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the NRC, described this as a pivotal moment, transitioning from a monopoly to a more collaborative and regulated railway system. He noted that the partnership between NRC and Lagos State Government dates back to April 2012, when former President Goodluck Jonathan approved the transfer of two federal rail tracks for the development of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line.

The Red Line began passenger operations on October 15, 2024, following its inauguration by President Bola Tinubu. The permanent license follows a temporary one granted earlier and allows Lagos State to operate other rail systems in line with international standards. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, Managing Director of LAMATA, stated that this approval will enable more frequent train services and increased passenger capacity on the Red Line.

LAMATA plans to expand daily Red Line services to 24 by the fourth quarter of 2026, with each new train set capable of carrying at least 2,000 passengers per trip. She also mentioned that LAMATA currently operates 94 daily trips on the Blue Line. Opeifa encouraged other state gov