The China Railway Signal and Communication (CRSC) Group has launched an international seminar on Rail Transit Intelligent Control Systems for Nigerian engineers, scholars, and transport practitioners.
The seminar, ongoing in Beijing, China, was confirmed in a statement by Mr. Umar Usman, spokesperson for the Federal Transportation University, Daura (FUTD). He described the initiative as a major step toward deepening Nigeria’s cooperation in modern railway technology.
“The two-week programme, running from November 20 to December 4, brings together representatives from the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), and FUTD,” Usman said.
He added that the seminar stems from a tripartite agreement signed on August 21 during FUTD’s second matriculation ceremony. The partnership is expected to result in the establishment of a Joint Intelligent Control Research Centre and state-of-the-art intelligent train control laboratories in Daura by 2026.
Welcoming the Nigerian delegation at CRSC Headquarters in Beijing, CRSC Chairman Mr. Zhang Jingfang described the event as a key milestone in the evolving China–Nigeria partnership.
“Since our establishment in Beijing in 1953, we have been committed to advancing rail transit intelligent control technology—not just for China, but as a partner in global progress,” Jingfang said. He noted that CRSC’s technologies now support rail systems in over 10 countries across four continents, including Nigeria.
During the seminar, participants are touring CRSC facilities, receiving factory-based technical training, and attending specialized courses on railway signalling and low-altitude control systems. “They will also experience Maglev technology and immerse themselves in China’s dynamic urban landscape,” he added.
Mrs. Ninikanwa Okey-Uche, a Nigerian diplomat at the Beijing embassy, commended CRSC for its commitment to Nigeria’s transport development. She highlighted that the partnership was strengthened during Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation visit to CRSC in May 2024 and a reciprocal visit by CRSC’s Vice President to Nigeria in November 2024.
“This programme reflects mutual respect, benefit, and shared growth,” Okey-Uche said, emphasizing the importance of human capital development in Nigeria’s ongoing rail modernisation. She noted that the seminar aims to equip Nigerian professionals with frontier knowledge in intelligent train control systems, build local technical expertise, and strengthen academic–industry collaboration between CRSC and FUTD.
Speaking for the Nigerian delegation, FUTD Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Umar Adam-Katsayal, expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Transportation for providing an enabling environment for the university’s rapid growth. He praised CRSC’s hospitality and said the training would enhance participants’ skills in railway signalling, control, and communication systems while promoting cultural diplomacy between China and Nigeria.
According to Prof. Adam-Katsayal, the seminar is a step toward a future in which Nigerian engineers lead Africa’s rail technology transformation, guided by world-class expertise and strengthened bilateral cooperation.
