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Tag: Kayode Opeifa

  • Nigeria’s railway crises worsen as NRC suspends PH-Aba train service

    Nigeria’s railway crises worsen as NRC suspends PH-Aba train service

    Nigeria’s ambitious rail modernization drive has hit a major setback as three critical passenger train services have been suspended, casting doubts on the future of multi-billion-dollar investments in the sector.

    The Warri-Itakpe Train Service is grounded. The Abuja-Kaduna Train Service is also grounded. Now, the Port Harcourt-Aba Train Service is suspended.

    The Warri–Itakpe rail line, which links the South-South to the North-Central and serves both passenger and freight operations, was suspended due to operational and safety concerns. The line, commissioned in 2020, had been touted as a strategic corridor for moving goods from the ports to inland markets.

    Most worrying for many Nigerians is the indefinite suspension of the Abuja-Kaduna service, once considered the flagship of the government’s rail revival project.

    The route, completed with Chinese loans and inaugurated in 2016, quickly became a lifeline for thousands who abandoned the dangerous Abuja-Kaduna highway due to incessant bandit attacks.

    However, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) suspended regular train services on the route following a near fatal derailment.

    A March 2022 terrorist attack on the train shattered public confidence, and despite resumption, security and operational challenges have persisted.

    In the South-East, the Port Harcourt-Aba service has also been grounded. The announcement was made on Friday in a brief by NRC’s Managing Director, Mr. Kayode Opeifa.

    This short but vital route was expected to boost commerce in the region by providing a cheaper and faster alternative for traders and daily commuters between the two bustling cities.

    The suspension of the three critical train services highlights the fragility of Nigeria’s rail system, which has gulped billions of dollars in foreign loans and government spending.

    Analysts warn that without urgent intervention, the shutdowns could derail Nigeria’s broader transportation strategy, which relies heavily on rail to decongest highways, boost trade, and improve logistics for industries.

    “Rail is supposed to be the backbone of Nigeria’s modern transport system,” said a transport economist in Abuja. “When services collapse this way, it signals deeper problems, ranging from poor funding for maintenance, inadequate security, and lack of operational sustainability”.

    With the railway modernization projects tied to Chinese loans and other external financing, the suspensions raise concerns about Nigeria’s ability to service debts and maintain confidence among international lenders.

    Traders, commuters, and logistics operators are already feeling the pinch, with increased transportation costs and renewed dependence on unsafe roads.

    ALSO READ || Opeifa’s NRC and the rot in Nigeria’s rail transport system

    Industry watchers say the government must move swiftly to restore services, enhance security, curb activities of vandals and develop a sustainable maintenance framework, or risk turning the rail revolution into a failed national project once again.

  • NRC names assaulted FCT journalist Ambassador for Media Advocacy

    NRC names assaulted FCT journalist Ambassador for Media Advocacy

    The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has publicly apologized to the Nigerian media for verbally assaulting Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) journalist Comrade Ladi Bala while she was covering the aftermath of a train derailment along the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor.

    Speaking at a press conference held at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council Secretariat in Abuja on Sunday, Dr. Opeifa explained that his remarks, made under intense pressure while managing the crisis, were misunderstood as hostility towards the press.

    Comrade Bala, the immediate past president of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), was reportedly subjected to unprovoked verbal attacks by Dr. Opeifa while performing her official duties at the derailment scene.

    The NUJ FCT Council condemned Dr. Opeifa’s conduct, describing it as dehumanizing and a serious violation of press freedom.

    During the apology, Dr. Opeifa said: “I wish to sincerely apologize for the regrettable remarks I made, which were directed at a seasoned journalist and reflected poorly on both the NUJ FCT and NAWOJ.

    “Acting under pressure and in the heat of the moment while trying to ensure safety, I uttered some unkind words for which I take full responsibility.”

    In recognition of Comrade Bala’s resilience, professionalism, and dedication to factual reporting despite the unfortunate incident, Dr. Opeifa bestowed upon her the honorary title of “Ambassador for Media Advocacy.”

    He explained that the derailment involved eight coaches and one locomotive, placing huge demands on his team to coordinate rescue efforts, inform the presidency and the public, and activate emergency procedures simultaneously.

    On the day of the accident, the NRC’s newly revised emergency protocol was immediately put into action, engaging key agencies such as the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Ministry of Health, Kaduna State Government, FCT Administration, and Nigerian military.

    Dr. Opeifa said there were 618 passengers onboard at the time of the derailment. Seven coaches and the locomotive were damaged, with around 20 passengers sustaining injuries—seven critically.

    The NRC quickly provided replacement coaches to evacuate stranded passengers and began contact tracing using passenger manifests within 45 minutes of the crash.

    “Some passengers had already traveled to nearby towns, but we managed to trace them by phone,” he added. “I personally visited at least seven injured passengers, including one who had made his way to Zaria.”

    He also praised the swift response from the Nigerian Army, Air Force, police, local vigilantes, and other emergency personnel, whose actions saved lives.

    Ambulances and medical teams were deployed by NEMA, the Federal Ministry of Health, Kaduna State Government, and FCT Administration. Medical staff on the trains prioritized life-saving efforts at the scene.

    Dr. Opeifa tendered a direct apology to Comrade Bala, acknowledging she bore the brunt of his earlier comments:

    “To her, I offer my fullest apology. I also extend the same to the NTA, NAWOJ, and the wider journalism community.”

    He described himself as a longtime advocate for human rights and trade unionism, recalling his history with the Campaign for Democracy, leadership in the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at LASU, and involvement in the June 12 struggle.

    “I have fought alongside journalists before; I am not their enemy,” he stressed.

    Dr. Opeifa highlighted NRC’s gender-inclusive policies, noting that 50% of the corporation’s management directors are women promoted on merit.

    He reaffirmed his commitment to partnering with the media to advance railway development and provide accurate, timely information.

    Regarding recovery efforts, he disclosed that by Saturday two coaches and one locomotive were cleared from the crash site, with two more coaches expected to be removed by Sunday’s end.

    Engineers had laid about 50 meters of new track to facilitate this.

    He praised the resilience of NRC’s rolling stock, noting that business-class passengers were unaware of the accident until disembarking, demonstrating the equipment’s quality and impact-absorbing capability.

    On media relations during emergencies, Dr. Opeifa commended journalists for their coverage but urged accuracy to prevent panic.

    He also detailed NRC achievements, including reactivation of the Jos–Bukuru line, expansion of the Lagos–Ibadan corridor, and plans to connect major ports like Tin Can, Warri, and Onne to the rail network, describing these as unprecedented in over 60 years of Nigerian railway history.

    Dr. Opeifa announced the establishment of a Customer Service and Relations Department to engage passengers and the media, noting the unit had contacted over 400 passengers affected by the Kaduna accident.

    He concluded that despite the accident, the incident strengthened NRC’s resolve to modernize railway services and expand rail access in partnership with state governments and the Renewed Infrastructure Fund.

    “The media remain our partners, not adversaries. We will deepen collaboration with the NUJ, NAWOJ, and civil society to promote transparency and public trust,” he affirmed.

    NUJ FCT Council Chairman Comrade Grace Ike, representing journalists, said the council would continue defending press freedom and resisting intimidation. She welcomed the public apology as a step toward rebuilding trust while stressing that the NUJ FCT has zero tolerance for intimidation, harassment of journalists.

    “We will persist in fighting for our members’ rights and freedom of speech, which is a right, not a privilege. I am pleased the MD has joined us in opposing harassment and intimidation of journalists and will champion this cause,” she said.

    “With Comrade Ladi Bala as the NRC’s Ambassador for Media Advocacy, we anticipate increased media activities and campaigns promoting the welfare and development of Nigerian journalists, especially in the FCT.”

    Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Special Duties, Tunde Rahman, who accompanied Dr. Opeifa, praised the NRC boss’s humility in offering the apology and pledged ongoing collaboration between the presidency, NRC, and the media.

  • Opeifa’s NRC and the rot in Nigeria’s rail transport system

    Opeifa’s NRC and the rot in Nigeria’s rail transport system

    Nigeria’s rail transport system, once hailed as the backbone of national connectivity and a symbol of modernisation, is fast sliding into decay.

    At the centre of it is Mr. Kayode Opeifa, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), whose stewardship has become synonymous with impunity, mismanagement, and hostility towards accountability.

    Recent incidents, including the derailment of a Kaduna-bound train and the harassment of a journalist covering the aftermath, have thrown the NRC into the eye of a storm.

    The episode highlights not only the crumbling state of rail infrastructure but also the growing culture of intolerance to public scrutiny.

    Transport analysts say Opeifa’s behaviour is part of a larger pattern: a leadership that prefers silencing critics over fixing problems.

    On August 26, 2025, hundreds of passengers on the Abuja-Kaduna rail corridor were left stranded after another derailment near Kubwa.

    Though no casualties were recorded, the disruption underscored the persistent technical lapses plaguing rail transport in Nigeria.

    The NRC was quick to issue a statement, but observers argue that such accidents have become far too frequent to be dismissed as isolated incidents.

    Safety protocols remain weak, maintenance is patchy, and oversight is lax, leaving passengers at the mercy of an underfunded and poorly managed system.

    “Every time there is a derailment, we are told it will never happen again. Yet it keeps happening,” says Amina Abdullahi, a daily rail commuter. “It feels like we are gambling with our lives each time we board”.

    The Warri-Itakpe train service is yet to recover from similar hiccups. Train operations on that route remain grounded. Many passengers affected say they are yet to be refunded.

    “Each derailment is a near disaster,” said Dr. Maxwell Igbinedion, a transport safety expert. “Nigeria is one accident away from a tragedy that could claim hundreds of lives. And it won’t be bad luck; it will be negligence.”

    If the physical state of Nigeria’s rail system is worrying, its leadership’s response to criticism is even more alarming. When veteran journalist and former NAWOJ president, Comrade Ladi Bala, attempted to cover the derailment, she was allegedly harassed, insulted, and forcibly prevented from reporting by Opeifa himself.

    Eyewitness accounts claim the NRC boss hurled degrading insults, disrupted her live broadcast, and threatened to have her removed from her job.

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council has since condemned the act as a blatant attack on press freedom and a violation of the Constitution.

    “It is unacceptable that a public servant tasked with accountability to Nigerians would rather assault journalists than address the failures under his watch,” said Comrade Jide Oyekunle, Secretary of NUJ FCT.

    The episode has amplified concerns about the culture of impunity within the NRC, where transparency and accountability appear to be secondary to personal power and intimidation.

    Insiders within the Corporation have disclosed that critical maintenance schedules have been abandoned due to cost-cutting and mismanagement.

    “Many of the locomotives are running on borrowed time,” said a senior engineer at NRC, who asked not to be named for fear of victimisation. “Spare parts are procured late, some don’t even arrive, and yet billions are declared as spent.”

    Over the past decade, Nigeria has invested billions of dollars, much of it through Chinese loans, to revive its rail network. Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan, and Warri-Itakpe lines were launched with promises of safety, efficiency, and affordability.

    Yet derailments, breakdowns, ticket racketeering, inflated fares, and management scandals now dominate the headlines.

    Commuters complain of delays, frequent breakdowns and poor customer service.

    “The trains are deteriorating faster than they were built,” noted transport analyst Dr. Maxwell Igbinedion. “It is clear that without competent management and rigorous oversight, Nigeria risks squandering its massive rail investments.”

    The latest row also raises broader questions about governance in Nigeria’s infrastructure sector.

    Rather than addressing systemic failures, public officials increasingly resort to silencing dissent. Critics warn this erodes democratic accountability and undermines public trust in state institutions.

    Opeifa should know Sections 22 and 39 of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution guarantee press freedom and the duty of the media to hold government accountable.

    By harassing journalists, NRC leadership not only flouts these provisions but also signals a dangerous precedent: that impunity will shield officials from scrutiny.

    Civil society groups are now demanding a probe into both the derailments and the conduct of the NRC leadership. They argue that without systemic reforms, Nigeria’s rail system risks collapsing under the weight of corruption, negligence, and authoritarian management styles.

    “The rail system is too important to be left to reckless leadership,” says Ene Obi, a civil rights activist. “Government must act now, not only to save lives but to restore public confidence”.

    The NUJ has insisted on an unreserved public apology from Opeifa and called on the federal government to enforce accountability. So far, the silence from the Ministry of Transportation and the Presidency has only deepened public frustration.

    Nigeria’s railways once represented hope for affordable, safe, and efficient transport. Today, they symbolise a broader national malaise: the triumph of impunity over responsibility.

    Unless urgent measures are taken to address both infrastructure decay and leadership excesses, the promise of rail transport risks derailing permanently.

    For now, the tracks may still carry trains, but they are also carrying the weight of public disillusionment.

  • NUJ FCT condemns attack on NTA Reporter by NRC MD, Kayode Opeifa

    NUJ FCT condemns attack on NTA Reporter by NRC MD, Kayode Opeifa

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has condemned the alleged harassment and verbal assault of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) reporter, Comrade Ladi Bala, by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Kayode Opeifa.

    The incident occurred on August 27, 2025, when Bala, a former president of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), was covering the aftermath of a train derailment along the Abuja–Kaduna rail line.

    Witnesses said Opeifa disrupted her live broadcast, verbally abused her with derogatory remarks, and ordered security personnel to forcefully remove her from the scene.

    In a statement signed by its Secretary, Comrade Jide Oyekunle, the NUJ FCT Council described Opeifa’s action as “dehumanizing” and a violation of press freedom guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution.

    “When NUJ officials reached out to the NRC boss, he cited security reasons for his action but continued to threaten Bala with reports to security agencies, the Presidency and NTA management,” the statement said.

    The NUJ further accused Opeifa of insulting the Council’s Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, who attempted to mediate in the matter.

    The union demanded an immediate and unreserved public apology from Opeifa and urged the NRC to take steps to prevent a recurrence. It also reiterated its zero tolerance for harassment and intimidation of journalists in the FCT.

  • NRC recovers locomotive, coaches after derailment

    NRC recovers locomotive, coaches after derailment

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has recovered a locomotive and coaches from the accident site of the Abuja-Kaduna train derailment of Aug. 26.

    The Managing Director of NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Lagos.

    Opeifa said he visited the accident site on Wednesday, Aug. 27, to personally supervise recovery operations alongside NRC recovery engineers.

    “During the exercise, the recovery team successfully retrieved one of the derailed passenger coaches, in addition to the locomotive earlier recovered on the day,” he stated.

    He commended the engineers for their professionalism, resilience, and swift response in managing the situation.

    The managing director also appreciated security agencies deployed to the site for ensuring that the recovery process was conducted smoothly, safely, and without disruption.

    He further acknowledged the media as a vital partner, thanking them for their continuous support during this challenging period.

    Opeifa stressed that credible, factual information was essential to help Nigerians understand the true situation and the progress being achieved.

    “NRC reassures its esteemed passengers and the public that all necessary measures are being taken to restore train operations in the shortest possible time. Passenger safety and service reliability remain the corporation’s top priorities,” he added.

  • NSCDC intercepts stolen railway slippers in Bauchi

    NSCDC intercepts stolen railway slippers in Bauchi

    The Mining Team of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) intercepted a trailer loaded with railway slippers on 20 June at Missu axis, Bauchi State.

    The slippers were hidden beneath sacks of sawdust, raising suspicion of deliberate concealment and intent to vandalise public infrastructure.

    Dr Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

    The statement was issued by Mr Yakub Mahmood, Deputy Director, Public Relations, at the NRC.

    Opeifa confirmed that three suspects were arrested and that the vehicle and stolen items are now in NSCDC custody for further investigation.

    “This is the biggest heist in recent times. The NRC Police Command confronted economic saboteurs targeting railway assets nationwide,” he said.

    He added that the Nigerian Railway Police and NSCDC have made several arrests, with materials recovered across Bauchi, Kano, Kwara and Gombe states.

    Opeifa reiterated the corporation’s firm stance against vandalism of railway infrastructure.

    “This arrest reflects our zero tolerance for railway vandalism,” he said. “We will pursue every culprit threatening the future of rail transport in Nigeria.”

  • NRC boss inspects Abuja-Kaduna train facilities

    NRC boss inspects Abuja-Kaduna train facilities

    Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, has conducted an unannounced inspection of Idu Railway Station in Abuja.

    The visit aimed to assess the condition of coaches and station facilities, particularly in response to growing public concerns regarding train services on the Abuja-Kaduna route.

    In a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos, Opeifa said the inspection was prompted by complaints about the functionality of toilets on the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS).

    The statement was signed by Mr Callistus Unyimadu, Acting Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the NRC.

    Opeifa said the visit followed the circulation of a report alleging that all toilets aboard AKTS trains were non-functional.

    Determined to verify the claims, Opeifa boarded the train and personally inspected toilets and other facilities across several coaches.

    He was accompanied by senior officials and technical staff, who provided updates on facility conditions, maintenance activities, and plans for future improvements.

    Opeifa reaffirmed the NRC’s commitment to passenger safety, cleanliness, and comfort across Nigeria’s railway network.

    “We take all feedback seriously—whether from the media or passengers—and we are committed to transparency and ongoing improvement.

    “Our visit today reflects our dedication to maintaining high standards of service for all passengers,” he said.

    On the condition of facilities, Opeifa commended the AKTS team and cleaning contractors for their work over the last five months.

    He noted that most toilets were now functional but acknowledged that further improvements were still needed.

    “I encourage passengers to continue using our customer complaint channels to report any issues for quick resolution,” he said.

    He also urged NRC staff to adopt more customer-friendly attitudes, enhancing the overall travel experience for passengers.

    Opeifa assured the public that any identified shortcomings would be swiftly addressed, with constructive feedback welcomed to support service enhancements.

  • FG takes urgent steps to restore rail line swept away by Mokwa flood

    FG takes urgent steps to restore rail line swept away by Mokwa flood

    The Managing Director, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, has said the federal government is working hard to urgently restore rail services between the Northern and Southern parts of the country.

    Opeifa said this on Wednesday in Mokwa, Niger State, when he paid an assessment visit to rail infrastructure affected by the recent flood disaster.

    The NRC boss explained that the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Sai’du Ahmed-Alkali, who was supposed to lead the delegation on the assessment visit, was out of the country and had asked that he  represents him.

    According to the Managing Director, the Federal Government is seriously concerned about the extent of devastation to the rail tracks particularly in Mokwa, which was washed away by the recent flood.

    Opeifa said the Federal Government would leave no stone unturned to expeditiously repair the damaged rail tracks.

    This, he said, was necessary so as to reduce the impact of the stoppage of rail services between the North and South.

    “We are here to assess the extent of damage done and explore urgent measures to provide plausible engineering solutions to the problem.

    “We have spoken to some of the community people, the elderly, the young and others. They have lamented the level of devastation and they have attested that it has never happened like this, though it’s a natural phenomenon.

    “We pray God in His infinite mercy to grant the souls of the deceased Aljannat Firdaus and we have condoled with the bereaved families,” Opeifa said.

    He said that hitherto the NRC was in discussions with the Niger Government to provide intra city rail service from Jebba to Minna via Mokwa.

    “We were set for everything and we were just striving to raise the needed funds for this vital project,” the managing director said.

    Opeifa stated that the Federal Government would soon swing into action and repair the washed away portions of the rail tracks, stressing “this would be done as soon as possible to move goods from Minna to Lagos and vice versa.

    “The integrity of the track is now in question due to the wash out and this would be fixed soonest. We will collaborate with the relevant federal and state agencies to get this done.

    “This is with the view to revamping the economy and bolstering the socioeconomic prosperity of the state and the country in general.”

    The managing director also disclosed plans by the Federal Government to improve on the existing rail lines across the country and provide modern coaches for them.

  • NRC goes tough on illegal mining activities near rail tracks

    NRC goes tough on illegal mining activities near rail tracks

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has pledged to take serious actions against illegal mining activities causing damage to rail tracks.

    The Managing Director of the corporation, Mr Kayode Opeifa, gave the warning while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Jebba, on the sidelines of an inspection tour of rail tracks in Mokwa, Niger.

    The NRC boss described the actions by the miners as “economic saboteurs undermining the assets of the country”.

    “They dont know the implications of what they are doing. They are damaging the asset entrusted to the Nigeria Railway Corporation.

    “You can see the tracks that come from Jebba to Mokwa. It has affected the rail tracks by the time they go burrowing into the soil. This is an economic sabotage and the government will take appropriate actions,” he said.

    Opeifa called on the Niger  Government to deploy appropriate security personnel to stop the sabotage of the national resources.

  • NRC extends special train services

    NRC extends special train services

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) will operate additional special train services across its major standard gauge corridors – Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna – on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

    The Managing Director of NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, said this in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

    The statement was signed by Mr Callistus Unyimadu, Acting Deputy Director Public Relations, NRC.

    Opeifa said that the extension was in response to exceptional surge in passengers turnout during  earlier special services in celebration of the Eid Kabir.

    ”This follows the success of earlier special trips on Thursday, June 5, which witnessed full bookings and high commuter traffic.

    ”The extra trips would ease return travel for festive travellers heading back to their destinations,” he said.

    According to Opeifa, the scheduled trips are: Monday – Lagos to Ibadan at 8.00 a.m., 1.55 p.m. and 4.00 p.m.,  and  Ibadan to Lagos at 8.00 a.m., 11.03 a.m. and 4.46 p.m.

    He said that NRC extended the Abuja-Kaduna train  services to Tuesday.

    ”To manage the continued high demand on the Abuja-Kaduna corridors, NRC will extend its full six-trips daily schedule originally applicable from Friday to Monday to Tuesday, June 11,” he said.

    He said that the schedule for Abuja to Kaduna services would be  7.45 a.m., 2.00 p.m. and 3.10 p.m. while  Kaduna to Abuja services would take place  at 7.00 a.m., 2.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m.

    According to Opeifa, the gesture demonstrates the corporation’s responsiveness to public needs and dedication to delivering efficient, safe and timely rail services.

    “We are pleased with public response to our special services. These additional trips are part of our commitment to meeting the growing demand for rail mobility,” he said.

    NRC advised all passengers  to arrive early for security screening and boarding as train departure would be strictly on schedule. It also advised passengers to complete their online bookings in advance.