The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced plans to revive the Osogbo‑Dagbolu‑Erunmu and Idogo railway lines in collaboration with the Southwest Development Commission (SWDC). These freight lines will transport agricultural produce from southwest towns to Lagos markets and return consumer goods to the interior, enhancing regional trade and food distribution.
SWDC Managing Director Charles Diji Akinola emphasized that reviving these essential lines is crucial for the economic revitalization of the southwest region. In the short term, SWDC intends to operate some of the previously unserved routes on a profit‑sharing basis, with subsidies to support local farmers and encourage agricultural production.
The commission’s medium‑term objectives include securing operational and track‑access licenses for new routes, attracting private‑sector investors, constructing warehouses along the corridors, and building new rail spurs to connect all southwest states to the national rail network. These initiatives build on earlier work by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, which advanced master planning for regional rail development across the six southwest states.
NRC Managing Director Dr. Kayode Opeifa expressed the corporation’s commitment to partnering with SWDC, federal agencies, and private‑sector stakeholders under programs such as the Track Access Programme and “Railing With the States.” This partnership will enable sub‑national entities to utilize national rail corridors, and NRC directors have been instructed to work with SWDC’s technical team to develop a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to operationalize the lines.
The reactivation of the Osogbo‑Dagbolu‑Erunmu and Idogo rail lines represents a significant step toward improving regional connectivity and promoting economic growth in the southwest. With NRC and SWDC collaborating, the project is expected to positively impact the local economy, support farmers, and boost agricultural production. Ongoing monitoring will be essential to assess the project’s progress and effectiveness in achieving its objectives.
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