South-West Commission Pushes Revival of Old Rail Corridors

The Managing Director of the South-West Development Commission (SWDC), Dr Charles Akinola, has reaffirmed that the commission’s drive to revive old and unserviced rail lines across the region is aimed at building a modern rail ecosystem that will reduce transportation costs, expand market access, and create jobs for youths.

Akinola stated this on Monday during an interaction with journalists in Lagos, where he commended the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, for supporting the commission’s proposals on enhanced rail connectivity in the South-West.

He noted that Opeifa had assured the SWDC of positive consideration for its rail development plans, adding that the NRC remained committed to strengthening regional rail infrastructure as a key component of Nigeria’s economic transformation agenda.

According to him, the NRC boss also expressed readiness to review the commission’s application for an operational licence and directed relevant directors to collaborate with the SWDC’s technical team to draft the Memorandum of Understanding needed to advance the plans.

Dr Akinola explained that regional rail connectivity would boost food security, strengthen agricultural value chains, stimulate rural prosperity, and ultimately enhance the South-West’s contribution to national economic growth in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

“We want to revive the Idogo route and extend it to Dagbolu for the movement of farm produce in large quantities from Osun, Oyo, and Ogun to Lagos, where demand is high. This will also help deliver fast-moving consumer goods from Lagos and Ogun to other states, boosting commerce and improving cargo efficiency,” he said.

“Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, and Osun already have rail access. Our aim is to maximise these existing corridors to move foodstuffs into Lagos and ensure seamless distribution across the region to drive economic expansion,” he added.

Akinola further disclosed that the SWDC’s rail roadmap includes short-, medium-, and long-term targets, with plans to concession old routes for immediate operations, secure new licences for additional corridors, and attract private-sector partners. He said both the SWDC and NRC have set up a joint technical team and are working with the six governors of the region to construct strategic road spurs linking rail stations to dry ports, industrial hubs, and other critical facilities.