SENATE PROBES INSECURITY, OPERATIONAL FAILURES IN NIGERIAN RAILWAY SYSTEM
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Senate has launched an investigation into operational inefficiencies and rising insecurity within Nigeria’s railway system amid growing concerns over declining service delivery on key rail corridors across the country.
The decision followed a personal explanation raised during plenary on Thursday, in which a lawmaker drew the attention of the Senate to the worsening condition of major rail routes and the impact on passengers and national transportation efficiency.
Consequently, Senate President Godswill Akpabio inaugurated an ad hoc committee to conduct a comprehensive probe into the operations of the Nigerian railway system.
The committee has been mandated to examine the execution of railway projects, funding utilisation, operational efficiency and overall service delivery. It is expected to submit its findings and recommendations within six weeks.
The panel, which was initially constituted in November 2025, is chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
Expressing concern over the state of rail services, Akpabio lamented the declining speed of the Abuja–Kaduna train service, noting that travel time on the route has deteriorated significantly.
“The journey has slowed to the point where a bicycle or even a Keke Napep could reach Kaduna faster than the train,” the Senate President remarked.
Earlier, Senator Abdul Ningi had drawn attention to the condition of the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano rail line, alleging that the contract for the project was poorly executed.
Ningi further claimed that despite the rail line generating over ₦1.8 billion in revenue, there has been no corresponding improvement in service quality or operational efficiency.
He noted that while the journey from Abuja to Kaduna initially took about one and a half hours, it now takes approximately three and a half hours to cover the same distance.
The lawmaker also revealed that train operations on the route have been reduced to a single daily trip, with departures from Abuja at 7:00 a.m. and a return journey from Kaduna, in contrast to the multiple daily trips previously available.
The Senate said the outcome of the probe would help address the challenges facing the railway sector and restore public confidence in rail transportation as a safe and efficient alternative across the country.
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