NRC, Tertiary Institutions set to Include Railway Technology in Academic Curricula

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with five tertiary institutions to integrate railway technology into their curricula, a move aimed at building local capacity and reducing reliance on foreign training.

The agreement, announced in Lagos, involves Yaba College of Technology, Kwara State Polytechnic, Federal Polytechnic Offa, Kaduna Polytechnic, and Trinity University. It will allow the institutions to run academic programmes in railway engineering, administration, and management—complete with practical training using NRC’s facilities.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, NRC’s Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, said the partnership would address the skills gap in Nigeria’s rail sector and create pathways for staff with Higher National Diplomas (HND) to pursue degree qualifications without travelling abroad.

“We have many talented workers whose career progression has stalled due to lack of formal academic upgrades. This MoU will bridge that gap while saving the nation resources spent on international training,” Opeifa stated.

Under the deal, the NRC will provide access to its operational infrastructure, including locomotives, rail tracks, and workshops, for students’ industrial training and lecturers’ sabbaticals. Retired NRC professionals will also be engaged as guest lecturers to bring real-world experience into the classroom.

Rector of Federal Polytechnic Offa, Dr. Kadir Oluwatoyin, described the collaboration as a boost to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that the project would enable internships, staff exchanges, and research collaborations.

Similarly, Dr. Abdul Mohammed, Rector of Kwara State Polytechnic, said the initiative would produce a new generation of railway experts, reduce dependency on expatriates, and open new career opportunities for young Nigerians both at home and abroad.

With the federal government prioritising infrastructure development, the move is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s railway workforce, enhance technical education, and deepen ties between academia and industry.

– By Oshuniran Sheriff Ola