By Seun Ibiyemi
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has pledged enhanced collaboration with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to reinforce transparency, accountability, and integrity across the nation’s railway sector.
The assurance was given by Mr. Alexander Chukwumah, Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RAAC), Lagos Office, during a courtesy visit to NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, at the corporation’s headquarters.
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Chukwumah emphasized the Commission’s commitment to providing training programs to NRC staff to help them identify and avoid practices that could expose them to corruption risks.
“This initiative forms part of ICPC’s public education and enlightenment mandate,” Chukwumah said, urging NRC to work closely with its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) to detect early warning signs and prevent minor lapses from escalating into major institutional crises.
Responding, Dr. Opeifa welcomed the partnership, noting that the railway sector’s development had historically been hindered by corruption. He requested capacity-building programs for heads of departments and senior management to help them better understand potential pitfalls in their duties.
The NRC Managing Director also highlighted vandalism of railway infrastructure as a major operational challenge, presenting anti-vandalism sweatshirts to the ICPC delegation inscribed with the message: “Rails and railway assets are critical national treasures and not scraps.”
He stressed that any staff found colluding in sabotage faces immediate dismissal.
On the corporation’s long-term plans, Opeifa reiterated the Vision 2-5-10-20 framework aimed at modernizing and expanding Nigeria’s railway system.
The first phase focuses on optimizing legacy railway lines and reactivating abandoned corridors, including the Kaduna–Nguru–Kaura Namoda line to restore services in Zamfara State this year.
He added that NRC is pursuing a freight-by-rail revolution and the “Railing with the States” initiative to enhance state-level economic development while connecting rail lines to seaports.
Within the next five years, the corporation plans to transition from diesel-powered locomotives to cleaner energy sources such as gas, with a goal to double Nigeria’s rail assets by 2035.
