In a groundbreaking development, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has granted operational licences to the Lagos State government for its two completed mass transit rail lines, the Blue and Red Lines.
This marks the first time since the establishment of the Nigerian railway system in 1912 that a state government will operate train services.
The decision comes after a significant legislative change, with a bill signed into law on March 17, 2023, transferring railway operations from the exclusive list to the concurrent list. This change enables sub-national governments to develop and operate railways while the NRC retains regulatory authority.
Engr. Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director of the NRC, presented the licences to the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) on Friday. The Blue Line received a three-year operational licence, while the Red Line was granted a temporary six-month licence.
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Okhiria praised LAMATA’s efforts in advancing the mass transit projects, expressing confidence in their capability to successfully operate the new rail services.
The NRC’s decision followed nearly three years of infrastructure assessments and pre-operational testing of the lines.
LAMATA stated that this achievement represents a significant milestone in Nigerian railway transportation, with plans to commence commercial operations on the Red Line, which connects Oyingbo to Agbado.
