*Choosing PBAT’s First Eleven: Dr. Kayode Opeifa, MD/NRC Leads the Rail Revival*
_By: Lawal Kazeem_
Selecting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first eleven appointees was, unarguably, a Herculean task.
Yet, among those who have distinguished themselves early is *Dr. Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation*.
Under his stewardship, the NRC has recorded a deliberate and measurable turnaround aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda. Dr. Opeifa is not just running trains — he is rebuilding a critical national infrastructure.
*Tangible Achievements Under Dr. Opeifa*
*1. Restored Passenger Confidence*
He prioritized safety protocols, punctual departures, and improved customer service on the Abuja-Kaduna and Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge corridors. The result has been a significant rise in daily ridership and Internally Generated Revenue within months of taking office.
*2. Rehabilitation, Maintenance & Modernization*
Dr. Opeifa focused on the rehabilitation and routine maintenance of narrow gauge lines to restore functionality and extend asset life, while strengthening rail connectivity to seaports and industrial clusters.
Concurrently, he drove modernization through e-ticketing reforms, upgraded station facilities, and the deployment of real-time train tracking. These steps have curbed ticket racketeering, improved transparency, and made rail a credible option for both passengers and freight.
*3. Safety and Security Strengthening*
He instituted stricter safety standards, upgraded track monitoring systems, and increased the deployment of security personnel across key corridors. This has reduced incidents, built public trust, and ensured safer journeys for millions of passengers.
*4. Freight Service Revival & Economic Linkages*
Under Dr. Opeifa, NRC reactivated commercial freight operations on strategic corridors, linking Apapa Port to inland dry ports and manufacturing hubs. This has shortened transit times for goods, eased pressure on highways, and opened new revenue streams for the Corporation.
Today, the railway is reclaiming its place as a driver of economic growth, job creation, and national connectivity.
With *Dr. Kayode Opeifa* at the helm, the NRC is moving decisively from promise to performance — and Nigeria is moving with it.
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