Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa Speaking on The Exchange Podcast with Femi Soneye
By Our Reporter
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is set to electrify most of Nigeria’s major rail lines within the next five years, Managing Director Dr. Kayode Opeifa has announced.
Speaking on The Exchange Podcast with Femi Soneye, Dr. Opeifa warned that rail vandals “will get roasted” if they get near the new electric lines.
The electrification drive is aimed at curbing rampant vandalism, boosting efficiency, and cutting carbon emissions. Dr. Opeifa explained that the plan involves partnering with Nigeria LNG (NLNG) and other gas firms to generate power for stations and tracks.
High-traffic routes, including Lagos-Ibadan, Lagos-Kano, and Port Harcourt-Warri-Ajaokuta, are first in line. “Nobody is going on Lagos’ Blue Line because it’s electric,” Dr. Opeifa said, pointing to the success of existing electrified lines in protecting infrastructure.
The NRC will pilot at least one line in the next two years before a wider roll-out. While funding and technical expertise remain challenges, Dr. Opeifa is confident in local engineers and international partnerships to deliver the ambitious project.
Electric rails, he said, are not just about security, they promise faster, cleaner, and more efficient inter-city travel, aligning Nigeria with global rail standards.
The electrification project is poised to become a hallmark of the current administration’s transport strategy. For vandals, the message is clear: touch the tracks, and you’ll get fried.
