In a major policy announcement, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has declared that the corporation is working towards electrifying most of Nigeria’s major rail lines within the next five years.
He revealed this ambitious plan during an interview on the latest edition of ‘The Exchange Podcast’, hosted by Femi Soneye.
Opeifa identified electrification as a key strategy to combat the rampant vandalism plaguing the system. He stated unequivocally that an electrified line serves as a powerful deterrent, as “if you move close, it will roast you up.”
This stark warning underscores the security benefits of moving beyond diesel-powered locomotives.
The NRC is pursuing a collaborative model to achieve this goal.
Opeifa disclosed that the corporation is in active talks with the Nigeria LNG (NLNG) and other gas companies to develop gas-powered systems that would generate electricity for the rail stations and, subsequently, the tracks themselves.
The initial focus for electrification would be on the high-traffic corridors, including Lagos-Ibadan, Lagos-Kano, and the Port Harcourt-Warri-Ajaokuta lines. Electrifying these lines would not only secure them but also significantly increase their efficiency, speed, and environmental friendliness.