ICPC, NRC Deepen Partnership to Boost Transparency in Railway Sector
OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has pledged to strengthen its collaboration with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) in a renewed push to enhance transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s railway sector.
The commitment was made by the Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner (RAAC), Lagos Office, Mr. Alexander Chukwumah, during a courtesy visit to the Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, at the corporation’s headquarters.
Chukwumah said the ICPC would support the corporation through targeted training programmes aimed at equipping staff with the knowledge to identify and avoid practices that could expose them to corruption-related offences.
He noted that the initiative aligns with the Commission’s public education mandate, which seeks to promote integrity across public institutions.
He also urged the NRC management to strengthen its collaboration with the corporation’s Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU), explaining that members of the unit have been trained to detect early warning signs and red flags that could prevent minor infractions from escalating into major institutional crises.
According to him, the visit was also designed to reinforce the cordial relationship between both agencies and reciprocate the goodwill earlier extended by the NRC.
“ICPC is committed to ensuring that NRC workers stay out of trouble. There are ways we can guide you and your team to avoid actions that could expose them to corruption risks,” Chukwumah said.
In his response, Opeifa welcomed the partnership and expressed the corporation’s readiness to work closely with the anti-corruption agency to deepen transparency within the railway system.
He observed that the railway sector could have recorded greater milestones if corruption had not historically impeded its growth. He therefore requested that the ICPC organise a capacity-building programme for Heads of Departments and senior management staff to enhance their understanding of potential ethical pitfalls in the course of their duties.
Opeifa identified vandalism of railway infrastructure as one of the major challenges confronting the corporation, stressing that the destruction of critical rail assets continues to exert pressure on operations and service delivery.
As part of efforts to combat the menace, he presented anti-vandalism sweatshirts to the ICPC delegation bearing the inscription: “Rails and railway assets are critical national treasures and not scraps.”
He reiterated that the corporation operates a strict internal disciplinary regime, warning that any staff found culpable of collusion or sabotage risk immediate dismissal.
The NRC managing director also commended the dedication of the corporation’s workforce, particularly engineers, whose commitment he said has sustained rail services despite operational challenges.
On the corporation’s long-term development strategy, Opeifa highlighted the NRC’s Vision 2-5-10-20 framework aimed at modernising and expanding Nigeria’s railway network. He disclosed that the first phase focuses on optimising legacy rail lines and reactivating abandoned corridors that previously supported economic growth.
Under the plan, the corporation is working towards reviving the Kaduna–Nguru–Kaura Namoda corridor, with efforts underway to restore rail services to Zamfara State within the year.
Opeifa added that the NRC is pursuing a freight-by-rail revolution and strengthening its “Railing with the States” initiative to enable state governments leverage rail infrastructure for economic development, while improving connectivity between rail lines and the nation’s seaports.
He further revealed that within the next five years, the corporation plans to begin transitioning from diesel-powered locomotives to cleaner energy sources such as gas, subject to resource availability, and aims to double Nigeria’s rail assets by 2035.
