₦airaland Forum

“RAILING WITH THE STATE”

We are pleased to announce a strategic partnership between the @info_NRC and the @Plateaugovt x @CalebMutfwang, marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to restore and operate the historic Jos–Kuru rail corridor.

This landmark agreement, signed in Lagos by the Plateau State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Jatau Davou, and The Management of @info_NRC, signifies a major step toward revitalizing Nigeria’s rail infrastructure. It aligns with our shared vision of enhancing regional connectivity, improving mobility, and stimulating economic growth across Plateau State and beyond.

The Jos–Kuru line, part of the historic Kafanchan–Kuru corridor that connects both Western and Eastern rail lines will play a critical role in supporting local communities, farmers, and traders through efficient cargo and passenger movement. While initial operations will run on the existing narrow gauge, plans are in motion to upgrade to standard gauge under the national railway modernization agenda.

We commend the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Hon. Said Ahmed Alkali, for his unwavering support, which underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda. His endorsement of this initiative reinforces our resolve to expand rail services across Nigeria.

This collaboration exemplifies what’s possible when federal and state governments work hand-in-hand to drive infrastructural development. It is not just about trains. it’s about restoring dignity, creating jobs, supporting commerce, and uniting the nation.

We look forward to commencing commercial operations on this corridor soon, and we remain committed to ensuring rail services reach every corner of Nigeria. More partnership announcements with other states soon.

#RailwayUpdate

naptu2:
I'll explain this again.

1) Western Line: The Western Line was the first line that was built by the Colonial Government. The primary reason for building it was to transport raw materials and agricultural goods like Al-Hassan Dantata's groundnuts from Kano to the port in Lagos.

The line begins at the Lagos Terminus in Iddo (there's also a branch line to the Apapa Port) and goes through Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ilorin, Kaduna and terminates in Kano. It is a narrow gauge line.

The Western line began with the Lagos-Ibadan line which was built between 1891 and 1896, it reached Kano in 1912 and it was later extended to Nguru in 1930.


2) Eastern Line: The Eastern Line was primarily built to move coal from Enugu to the port at Port Harcourt. Port Harcourt was also built for the same reason (to serve as a port for the shipment of coal). Coal was shipped to Great Britain and to the power plant at Ijora in Lagos.

The Eastern Line was extended to Jos, to move tin from the tin mines there and it was also connected to the Western Line in Kaduna. The Government of Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa extended the Eastern Line to Maiduguri. It is a narrow gauge line.

The Eastern Line began with the Port-Harcourt to Enugu Line that was built between 1913 and 1916. It was extended to Kaduna in 1927 and it was later extended to Maiduguri between 1958 and 1964.

3) Central Line: The Central Line was constructed by the government of General Ibrahim Babangida (construction began in 1987). It was built to convey iron from the iron mines at Itakpe to the steel mill at Ajaokuta and to convey the steel from Ajaokuta to Warri Port. It is a standard gauge line. The line was not completed.


There have been plans to build new standard gauge lines on the western and eastern axis, along the same corridor as the old narrow gauge lines.

The government of President Goodluck Jonathan began the Kaduna-Abuja rail line on the Western Axis. The government of President Muhammadu Buhari completed it and also built the Lagos-Ibadan line on the Western axis. The Government is currently building the Kano-Kaduna leg of the Western Line. When that is completed, all that will be left is the Ibadan-Ilorin and Ilorin-Abuja segments of the line.


The Government of Muhammadu Buhari also completed the Warri-Itakpe Line (the Central Line). There are plans to extend it to Abuja.

The Muhammadu Buhari Administration had declared that it would focus on completing existing projects, rather than starting new ones and so it focused on completing the Western and Central Lines. There is also a plan to build a standard gauge Eastern Line (Port-Harcourt to Maiduguri) but that has not commenced yet (which has caused annoyance among people of the North-East and South-East).


There is a proposal to build a coastal line, from Lagos to Calabar, but it hasn't been built yet. Critics complain that the colonialists were only interested in exploiting resources from Nigeria, rather than giving Nigerians good infrastructure and that's why they built rail lines from the hinterland in the north, to the ports in the south. For example, the critics point out that if you want to go from Lagos to Enugu by rail, you'd first have to go all the way up to Kaduna, before you can get to Enugu.

When I heard this criticism back in the 1980s, I often asked, "So why haven't we built it? The colonialists have been gone since 1960, so why haven't we built a rail line from east to west? We can't keep blaming them".

naptu2:
The Buhari Administration began the Kaduna - Kano leg of the Western Line and the Tinubu Administration will finish it.

President Tinubu has gone to China to finalise the deal for the construction of the Ibadan - Ilorin and Ilorin - Abuja legs of the line.

The idea to build the Eastern and Western standard gauge lines was conceived during the administration of President Obasanjo. Yar'Adua did not follow through, but Goodluck Jonathan continued it.

The Central Line was conceived during the administration of President Shehu Shagari. It was started by the Babangida Administration and finished by the Buhari Administration. However, the Buhari Administration proposed that it should be extended to Abuja.

I'll tell you about Lord Harcourt later.

naptu2:
The Eastern Line goes through places like Port Harcourt, Aba, Umuahia, Enugu, Makurdi, Jos, Bauchi and Maiduguri.

The Western Line goes through places like Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan, Ilorin, Jebba, Minna, Kaduna and Kano.

The Central Line goes through Warri, Abraka, Agbor, Igbanke, Agenebode, Uromi, Ajaokuta and Itakpe.

naptu2:
Dr Kayode Opeifa was:

🔴 special adviser on transportation to Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola from 2007 - 2011.

🔴 Lagos State transport commissioner from 2011 - 2015

🔴 FCT transport secretary 2017 - 2019

🔴 vice chairman and team leader of the Presidential Committee on Clearing of Apapa Port and Access Roads 2019 - 2023

🔴 managing director of the Abuja Urban Mass Transit Company Ltd. (AUMTCO) 2023 - 2025.

He was appointed managing director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation on January 22nd, 2025.

DesChyko:
Jos? I think they have higher priorities than rail transport for them. With the level insecurity in that place, planning a route there might be akin to o a death wish. Channel all that energy into resolving the unending crises instead.

Uten9z:
Are you okay.
So they dont need to develop again because they are been attacked

Uten9z:
Are you okay.
So they dont need to develop again because they are been attacked