The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has said that ticket racketeering persists on passenger train services due to high passenger demand.

He, however, said that the corporation has introduced additional verification procedures to curb the practice.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily programme on Saturday, Dr. Opeifa stated that passengers are now subjected to double checks—first at the waiting area and again during boarding, a system that has significantly reduced illegal ticket sales

Opeifa also called for stronger collaboration between state governments and the Railway Police to enhance the protection of rail infrastructure across the country.

He noted that the Railway Police currently operates across 26 states, stressing that state governments should see the unit as part of their security architecture and support it accordingly.

According to him, the security of railway infrastructure is closely tied to the security of mobility corridors across the country, describing the railway as a critical national asset that passes through many states and plays an important role in national development.

Drawing from his experience as a former Commissioner in Lagos State, Opeifa recalled how the Railway Police supported the Lagos State Government during the cleanup of the Oshodi area, demonstrating the importance of inter-agency cooperation in protecting public assets.

“The history of the Nigerian Railway Corporation is the history of Nigeria itself,” he said, adding that the issues confronting the railway system are reflective of broader national challenges.

The NRC Managing Director also traced the evolution of Nigeria’s modern rail development, noting that the real overhaul of the system began in 2015 with the introduction of the standard gauge rail lines.

He credited the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari with commissioning key projects such as the Abuja–Kaduna Railway, Warri–Itakpe Railway, Abuja Rail Mass Transit, and the Lagos–Ibadan Railway, while also initiating the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri rail corridor.

Dr. Opeifa further highlighted the constitutional amendment that moved railways from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List, explaining that the development has opened the door for state governments such as Lagos, Kano, Ogun and Plateau to participate more actively in railway development.

He stated that his priority as managing director is to ensure that the NRC functions as a key driver of national integration and economic development while operating in line with international best practices.

According to him, many developed countries treat railway infrastructure primarily as social infrastructure, noting that Nigeria’s rail system currently plays a similar role by enabling mobility and economic activities across regions.

“Railway is an enabler of growth,” he said, adding that the Federal Government’s investment in rail projects across states such as Lagos, Kano and Kaduna is largely due to their strategic economic importance.

Dr. Opeifa also revealed that the NRC has developed a national rail map that clearly shows how state rail systems can connect to the national rail network to enhance connectivity.

Highlighting developments along the eastern corridor, he described the Enugu main railway station as a massive and well-designed facility with underground structures, recalling that the corridor once contributed significantly to national revenue.

Looking ahead, the NRC boss disclosed plans to electrify major rail corridors within the next five years, beginning with Warri and Lagos, where the availability of gas could support power generation for electric rail operations.

He also reassured passengers of the high level of security along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor, noting that train movements and station activities are monitored from a central control room.

According to him, the corporation plans to replicate similar security and monitoring arrangements on other rail lines across the country.

Dr. Opeifa announced that the number of daily trips on the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service has now been increased to three, in response to growing passenger demand.

He added that the NRC is also working to promote the tourism and entertainment potentials of railway services, promising that the corporation will continue to expand its services and improve operations until it achieves its development targets. (Nigerian Tribune)