In a recent interview with the Nigerian News Agency (NAN), Fidet Okhiria, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), announced the corporation’s plans to initiate night operations before the second quarter of 2024. The move aims to enhance the accessibility and efficiency of the railway services.
However, Okhiria highlighted that security concerns are the primary obstacle to implementing night operations. He emphasized that trains should operate at all times, but due to the prevailing security situation in the country, they have restricted their services to daytime operations.
Okhiria outlined the ambitious expansion plan, stating, “We intend to bring back passenger and freight trains from Port-Harcourt to Aba, Lagos to Kano, and Kaduna due to the dry ports. We are also planning to increase the number of train trips to six on various routes, including Lagos-Ibadan, Warri-Itakpe, and Abuja-Kaduna.”
Currently running four trips a day—two up and two down—across different routes, the NRC aims to double its frequency. Okhiria expressed confidence that the increased operations would commence before the second quarter of 2024.
As the NRC gears up to extend its services into the night, addressing security challenges remains a crucial aspect to ensure the safety and satisfaction of passengers during these expanded operations.
