Railways are often described as the lifeline of nations. In Nigeria, they are more than just steel tracks and locomotives; they are vital arteries for food distribution, trade, and national integration. Yet, in recent years, accidents ranging from derailments, vandalism, and even targeted attacks have reminded us that our railway system still faces critical safety and operational challenges.

This article reflects on Nigeria’s railway story from the past, present, and future. It highlights practical steps that policymakers and stakeholders can take to ensure that our railways become safe, reliable, and sustainable.

The Benefits of a Strong Rail System

• Economic – Lower Costs, Higher Competitiveness:
  An efficient rail network can drastically cut logistics costs for goods such as cement, food, and fuel. This will not only make Nigeria exports to be more competitive in global markets but also reduces the heavy burden of road repairs that are often caused by overloaded trucks.
• Social – Safer, Affordable Mobility for All:
  Reliable rail transport offers millions of Nigerians such as workers, students, and traders, a safer and more affordable travel option compared to road transport. It can also reduce the frequency of road accidents, which claim lives of people annually.
• Environmental – A Cleaner Path to Growth:
  Railways consume less fuel per ton-kilometer than road transport and can significantly cut emissions. For Nigeria, this will be a progress toward climate commitments, cleaner cities, and reduced dependence on fossil fuels for mobility.

Nigeria’s Rail Journey: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

• Yesterday: Nigeria’s railway history dates back to 1898, when the first line connected Lagos and Ibadan. By the mid-20th century, the network had expanded from Lagos and Port Harcourt all the way to Kano. Railways were once the backbone of trade, agriculture, and unity.
• Today: Key modern corridors include Abuja–Kaduna, Lagos–Ibadan, and Warri–Itakpe. Cargo movement has grown significantly, yet derailments, vandalism, and insecurity still undermine efficiency and weaken public trust.
• Tomorrow: Ongoing projects, such as the expansion of Abuja’s light rail to 292 km, show that the future is promising. However, unless we prioritize safety, maintenance, and inclusive governance, the system may not deliver its full potential.

Nigeria’s Railway at a Glance

• Passenger Traffic: 3.21 million passengers were moved in 2022, but this fell to 2.41 million in 2023 (a 32% drop). Encouragingly, by Q3 2024, the system had rebounded, with 743,205 passengers recorded.
• Cargo Growth: Cargo movement increased from about 157,000 tons in 2022 to 317,244 tons in 2023 which was a 102% rise. In Q1 2024 alone, cargo moved stood at 160,650 tons (+235% from Q1 2023).
• Safety Concerns: Between 2020 and 2022, derailments alone accounted for than 50 percent of incidents, more than all other accident categories combined. (National Bureau of Statistics Social Statistics Report, 2023)

These statistics show that while railways are becoming increasingly important for goods movement, safety lapses continue to slow overall progress.

Recent Railway Accidents: Local and Global Lessons

Nigeria

• Abuja–Kaduna Line (Aug 26, 2025): A derailment near Asham left six passengers injured.
• Warri–Itakpe Line (Jul 2024): Derailment forced a temporary halt; earlier that year, engine failures disrupted operations.

Africa and Beyond

• Cameroon (2016, Eséka): A train derailment killed 79 and injured over 500. Overloading and weak maintenance were blamed.
• Egypt (Oct 2024, Al-Ayat): Two children were killed at an unguarded crossing; mob violence followed.
• Guinea (2023–2024, Simandou): Fatalities occurred during rail construction due to poor safety protocols.
• South Africa (2025): Freight rail was opened to private operators, aiming to expand capacity and improve safety.

The common lesson across these incidents is clear: safety standards, regular maintenance, and strong oversight cannot be compromised.

Why Safe Railways Matter

• Food Security: Farmers and traders depend on bulk transport. Accidents disrupt supply chains, cause food spoilage, and raise urban food prices.
• Lives & Communities: Every derailment or collision risks lives and erodes public confidence.
• Economic Growth: Safe railways reduce logistics costs, attract investment, and decongest overburdened roads.
• Environmental Sustainability: Shifting freight from road to rail lowers fuel use and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Everyone Has a Role to Play

• Government: It is essential that government should provide clear policy direction, and enforce safety regulations. This will yield massive economic return to the country and sustain the longevity of the rail infrastructure.
• Private Sector: Businesses should be motivated to invest in rail innovations from smart monitoring systems to efficient cargo operations.
• Civil Society: Civil society organizations should continue to act as watchdogs, push for transparency, and raise awareness on railway safety.
• Community Leaders should mobilize communities to protect rail corridors and report vandalism. Ministry of transportation should work together with community leaders in rail corridors to resolve vandalism through community rail guards, awareness campaigns and incentivizing whistleblowing.
• Development Partners: Development partners can assist by offering technical expertise, and capacity-building support in the up and downstream

Why a Collective Commitment is a Must.

Building a railway system that is both safe and sustainable goes beyond laying tracks and running trains. It requires a collective commitment to address today’s urgent risks while laying foundations for tomorrow’s growth. From quick fixes that prevent immediate threats, to medium-term strategies that improve efficiency, and long-term investments that guarantee durability, every action counts. That is why coordinated short, medium, and long-term responses are essential if Nigeria is to unlock the full potential of its railways as engines of trade, food security, and national integration. Here are quick actions

Short, Medium, and Long-Term Responses

Short-Term (0–6 months)

• Conduct urgent safety audits of major corridors (Abuja–Kaduna, Lagos–Ibadan, Warri–Itakpe).
  Past effort: Similar audits were done on the Lagos–Kano line before rehabilitation, but they were not continuous. This time, audits must be institutionalized and linked to repair budgets.
• Fix broken infrastructure (signaling systems, level crossings, damaged tracks).
  Past effort: NRC undertook quick repairs after the 2022 Abuja–Kaduna attack, but efforts were reactive. A structured emergency repair fund is needed.
• Enhance security presence with joint railway task forces (Railway Police + NSCDC + vigilante groups).
  Past effort: Abuja–Kaduna rail patrols by military and DSS reduced attacks temporarily. The challenge was consistency and funding.
• Strengthen emergency response systems with helplines, rescue equipment, and staff drills.
  Past effort: After the 2022 train attack, emergency responses were slow and uncoordinated. Dedicated railway emergency units should be formalized.

Medium-Term (6–24 months)

• Deploy monitoring technologies (track sensors, CCTV at stations, drones for rural corridors).
  Past effort: NRC piloted CCTV in select stations, but coverage was poor. Scaling requires private security tech partnerships.
• Secure rail corridors with fencing in urban areas and community-policing partnerships in rural areas.
  Past effort: Lagos–Ibadan standard gauge fenced urban stretches, but rural areas remain vulnerable. NRC-community pacts (similar to oil pipeline surveillance models) can help.
• Improve staff capacity with safety/security training and strict enforcement of axle-load standards.
  Past effort: Some NRC training were conducted but enforcement of axle-load limits has remained weak. Stronger sanctions are needed.
• Launch public awareness campaigns to engage host communities in protecting rail assets.
  Past effort: Community engagement around the Warri–Itakpe line reduced stone-throwing incidents. Expanding this can curb vandalism.

Long-Term (2+ years)

• Reform railway governance by strengthening the NRC Act to clarify roles and enforce accountability.
  Past effort: Railway reform bills have been delayed for years. Legislative action is key to decentralize and professionalize NRC operations.
• Encourage private sector participation in freight operations, station management, and rolling stock maintenance
• Past effort: The Lagos–Ibadan line has PPP-managed ticketing in some stations, showing early proof of concept. Nigeria can learn from the South Africa’s private freight model.
• Develop integrated transport strategy linking rail with agriculture and trade corridors.
  Past effort: The Federal Government’s plan to use rail for agricultural produce evacuation (e.g., Kano–Lagos tomatoes) has been inconsistent. A deliberate food logistics program is needed.
• Establish sustainable financing models (rail bonds, dedicated trust funds, insurance-backed maintenance).
  Past effort: Chinese loans financed recent standard-gauge projects, but reliance on foreign debt is unsustainable. Nigeria needs domestic rail financing instruments.

Regional Examples that Nigeria Can Learn From

• South Africa – Leveraging Private Participation:
  South Africa has allowed private sector involvement in freight and passenger services, which has boosted capacity, reduced pressure on government budgets, and improved safety compliance. Nigeria can adapt this model by gradually opening non-core rail operations to credible private operators.
• Cameroon (Eséka Tragedy) – The Cost of Weak Oversight:
  The 2016 Eséka derailment in Cameroon was linked to overloading and inadequate safety checks. For Nigeria, the lesson is clear: enforcing strict weight limits and ensuring independent oversight can save lives and protect investments.
• Egypt – Safer Crossings, Safer Lives:
  Egypt has faced frequent accidents at rail crossings. Its recent efforts to modernize and secure pedestrian and vehicle crossings highlight an area Nigeria must prioritize, especially along busy corridors like Lagos–Ibadan and Abuja–Kaduna.
• China & India – Smart Technology as a Safety Net:
  Both countries deploy advanced fault-detection sensors, AI-driven monitoring, and predictive maintenance to reduce accidents. Nigeria can adopt cost-effective versions of these technologies (e.g., drones, IoT sensors) to monitor track health and detect tampering or faults in real-time.

Final Reflection

Nigeria’s railways have traveled a long road since 1898, but their true potential lies ahead, not behind. At this crossroads, safety and efficiency are no longer optional; they are the foundation for national growth. With cargo volumes rising and passenger demand returning, the window of opportunity is now.

A modern, secure, and well-governed rail system is more than transport. It is a driver of food security, competitive exports, social inclusion, and climate resilience. When government, private investors, civil society, communities, and development partners pull together, rail can become the backbone of a stronger economy and a safer society.

The truth is clear: safe, reliable railways are not just an infrastructure project. They are nation-building in motion.

Dr Fakunle is a Senior Agribusiness and Policy Expert based in Abuja, Nigeria.