NRC Targets Full Electrification of National Rail Network in Five Years

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced plans to electrify the country’s entire rail network within the next five years, marking a significant step toward modernising the nation’s transport infrastructure.

Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this during the 7th National Transport Conference of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIOTA) held in Abuja. He said the project forms part of the corporation’s long-term development framework, tagged Vision 2-5-10-20, which outlines Nigeria’s rail transformation goals.

According to Opeifa, the plan aims to optimise existing rail assets within the next two years, achieve full electric traction by year five, double national rail capacity within ten years, and expand the rail network to 60,000 kilometres in 20 years.

He added that states situated along existing national corridors, including Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Plateau, Edo, Delta, Kogi, Kaduna, Kano, and Niger will benefit from the reforms and be able to access rail assets at no additional cost.

The NRC boss explained that the shift to electric-powered trains is expected to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, lower carbon emissions, and align Nigeria’s railway operations with global standards.

Industry experts have described the electrification plan as a timely move to reposition the rail sector but noted that it will require massive investment, stable power supply, and policy consistency to achieve the set targets.

Oshuniran Sheriff Ola