The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has revealed that the Federal Government is set to launch an ambitious nationwide railway expansion project, aimed at connecting more cities than ever before.

Appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Saturday, Opeifa disclosed that new rail lines will soon be unveiled, extending across various regions of the country.

“States are now receiving federal grants to develop their own rail systems,” he said. “Lagos, for instance, is already utilizing track access on the Red Line.”

He mentioned that Kaduna State is expected to join the network shortly, and that Niger State is backing the development of the narrow gauge lines—though recent flooding in Mokwa disrupted operations. He added that plans were in place to extend rail services to Minna, Ilorin, and Offa during the recent festival period.

Opeifa also highlighted developments in Ogun State and new projects like the Jos-Bukuru rail in Plateau State.

He attributed the growing momentum in state-level railway development to the removal of rail from the exclusive legislative list to the concurrent list. “Now, states can initiate and develop rail infrastructure independently, with federal support in the form of grants,” he said.

He disclosed that ₦400 billion was allocated in the current budget to support state governments in this regard, with some states already accessing these funds.

“This administration is decentralizing the responsibility of railway development,” Opeifa stated. “While the Federal Government retains the obligation to connect Nigerian cities, it is now working in partnership with state governments.”

He concluded by noting that rail infrastructure is being developed in all geopolitical zones, with the South-West nearing completion and significant progress underway in the South-East and North-East.