The Lagos State Government has received a permanent operating licence from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), authorising it to operate the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line on the shared federal rail corridor.
The licence was presented during a ceremony where the Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, described the development as a significant step toward aligning Nigeria’s railway sector with global best practices.
According to Opeifa, the approval reflects a deliberate policy of allowing multiple operators to function within a regulated railway system, a model widely adopted in advanced rail networks around the world.
He said the Nigerian Railway Corporation is committed to expanding the country’s railway ecosystem through strategic partnerships aimed at improving public transportation, enhancing connectivity, and driving economic growth.
Opeifa further explained that the permanent operating licence empowers the Lagos State Government not only to continue operating the Red Line but also to develop and manage other rail systems in line with international standards and best practices.
The NRC Managing Director also commended the Lagos State Government for its substantial investments in rail infrastructure and rolling stock, describing the state’s commitment as a major contribution to the growth and modernisation of Nigeria’s railway sector.
The Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line is one of the state’s flagship transportation projects designed to ease traffic congestion and provide residents with a faster, safer, and more efficient mode of commuting.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) signs the Track Sharing Agreement and presents the Permanent Operating Licence to the Lagos State Government for rail operations.
The Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Abimbola Akinajo,… pic.twitter.com/TmsQnKmG92
— Lagos Junction (@LagosJunction) June 30, 2026
