Railway Training Institute Graduates 86 2024 & 2025 Sets of NRC/NDE Trainees
... We are committed to repositioning NRC as a driver of national economic integration, industrial growth and logistics efficiency - Dr. Opeifa
.... We will not leave our graduands behind - Dr. Opeifa
.... The need for skilled craftsmen and technicians for sound technological growth, aligns with the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu administration - Principal, Railway Training Institute
History was made today Tuesday 5th of May 2026 in Lagos amidst pomp and peagantry, as the Railway Training Institute (RTI) which is a vocational educational institution of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) conducted it's 28th graduation ceremony of the 2024 and 2025 sets of NRC/NDE with 86 new graduates in various vocational fields, being made available to the job market for employment.
At the well attended graduation ceremony at the Railway Training Institute premises at the NRC headquarters Ebute Metta, Lagos, it was a day of joy for the graduands, their families, friends, the principal and staffs of the training institute, Railway men, the Managing Director and CEO of NRC Dr Kayode Opeifa and his management team, other dignitaries, invited guests, security agencies personnel comprising the Nigerian Railway police command NSCDC, and Man O' war, the media, etc.
In his welcome address, the principal of the Railway Training Institute represented by Mr Kelechi Nosike, poured encomium on the Managing Director of NRC Dr Kayode Opeifa for his continued efforts to reposition the institute and uplift it to higher standards.
He made it known that the graduands of today, have completed a 3 year craft training in various trades. According to him, "This ceremony does not only mark the end of journey which started 3 years ago,... as they are now well equipped with marketable skills that makes them self reliant". He expressed gratitude to the entire staff of the institute and colleague instructors whose contributions have shaped the young technicians with the successful completion of a 3 year training programme.
Speaking further, Mr Nosike asserted that, "Presently, the need for skilled craftsmen and technicians for a sound technological growth in a developing country like Nigeria cannot be overemphasized as they form the bedrock of every industry". He stated that "This aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda initiatives of the President Bola Tinubu administration which aims to train youth through programmes like SUPA, TVET and other similar skill acquisition programmes".
He emphasized that students of the Railway Training Institute have been coming out with impressive results all year round in NABTEB examinations of May/June and Nov/Dec series, just as he appealed to parents to consider registering their children and wards for NABTEB examinations. He spoke of the institution partnerships with reputable organizations like GTZ, GIZ, SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC, INTERNATIONAL TOOLS, ABB, SIEMENS, etc for the purpose of training, tools and equipment donation and manpower development through a collaboration with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).
Mr Nosike appealed to the management of NRC to consider full time employment for the institute part time teachers as a reward and motivation for their decades of support to the growth of the school and training of students.
In his remarks, the chairman of the occasion and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Railway Corporation NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa while welcoming all to the graduation ceremony, noted that the " This ceremony is not merely a graduation event, but a demonstration of our institutional commitment to youth empowerment, workforce development and nation building through technical education and vocational excellence".
Dr. Opeifa went down memory lane on the establishment of the Railway Training Institute in 1924 and how it occupies a strategic place in the history of technical manpower development in Nigeria, by remaining a center for the training of artisans, technicians and skilled personnel in railway operations, mechanical systems and allied technical disciplines.
According to the MD/CEO of the NRC, "The training philosophy of of the Railway Training Institute remains anchored on practical excellence through the globally recognized model of "Learning by Doing", which ensures that trainees receive both theoretical grounding and intensive hands on experience required to thrive in today's competitive labour market".
He further stated that "Through our partnership with the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), thousands of Nigerian youths have been empowered with practical, employable and entrepreneurial skills that position them for self reliance and productive engagement in the economy".
Dr. Opeifa reaffirmed his administration commitment to repositioning NRC as a modern, efficient and commercially viable rail institution capable of driving national economic integration, industrial growth and logistics efficiency. While congratulating the graduands and admonishing them to be focused on the challenges of after school which are enormous, he charged them to be worthy ambassadors of the Railway Training Institute and the Nigerian Railway Corporation by "Upholding excellence, professionalism, innovation and integrity in all your future endeavors".
He also appreciated the National Directorate of Employment (NDE), partners, instructors, parents, and all stakeholders for their support in making today's event, a success.
The highlight of the occasion was the recognition of outstanding graduates in their various fields who were awarded certificates and this was carried out by the school principal, the MD/CEO of NRC Dr Kayode Opeifa and other dignitaries present.
The 28th graduation ceremony of the Railway Training Institute 2024 and 2025 sets of NRC/NDE trainees, had in attendance dignitaries including the MD/CEO of NRC Dr Kayode Opeifa and his management team, the principal Railway Training Institute and his staffs, Dr Abiola Arogundade Snr Special Assistant to Mr President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education ably represented by Mr Abiola Isinkalu, Barrister Ismael Ahmed Executive Chairman/CEO Presidential Initiative on Compressed Natural Gas (PiCNG) ably represented by Engr Olayinka Rufai, Mr Silas Ali Agara Director General National Directorate of Employment (NDE) ably represented by Mr Ogungbemi Rufus Gbadebo, Prof Clement Olusegun Kolawole Vice Chancellor Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos, Engr. Babalola Isaac HOD Rail Department, Yaba College of Technology, The Commissioner of Police Nigerian Railway Police Command, Comrade Innocent Luka Ajiji President General Nigeria Union of Railway workers (NUR), the Commandant NSCDC, Commandant Man O' War, graduands, parents, family members, friends, railway workers, security agencies personnel and the press, etc.
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