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Opeifa unfolds railway revolution plans to make rail travels exciting experience among Nigerians 

Funso OLOJO 
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, has unfolded plans by the Federal government, through the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), to institutionalize exciting railway travel experience among Nigerians.
The plans, he said, included revitalizing the existing narrow and standard gauges lines, refurbishment of existing coaches and other railway infrastructure and introduction of modern, fast- paced rail system in the country.
He further listed measures that would boost the repositioning of the nation’s legacy railway agency, prevent recurrence of accidents and return it to the path of sustainability.
Opeifa, at an interactive session with journalists, at the NUJ FCT Centre, Abuja, on Sunday, August 31st, 2025, said he remained focused on giving to Nigerians a new train travel experience either on the narrow or standard gauge rail lines.
Among other measures he outlined are institutional reforms, management restructuring, financial sustainability and deepening customers experience, all of which, he said, are part of measures being implemented under his watch.
Also outlined are measures aimed at optimizing the use of the two narrow and standard gauges, freight revolution by train, and optimizing track access by the state governments, while he added that there are efforts by the Federal Government to complete all ongoing rail infrastructure for national development.
He assured that the Tinubu administration is committed to the transformation of the railway adding that most of these initiatives are already nearing completion.
Opeifa also took time to offer a public apology for the altercation between him and the Transportation Editor of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and former National President of the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Comrade Ladi Bala, as well as the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Management, as well as all Nigerian journalists.
He reassured of his commitment to the deepening of the media space and a greater collaboration with the media.
On the situation report on the train accident, Opeifa said well over 500 of the 618 passengers who traveled in the train have been contacted by the now rejigged customer relations unit of the corporation.
Many of the injured passengers, he further added, were traced even as far as to Zaria, where they were contacted by a team led by himself, the AKTS resident doctor and the NRC Abuja Liaison Officer.
The NRC chief also disclosed that the third coach has been rerailed, by men of the corporation, making a total of three coaches and a locomotive that have been removed from the scene of the accident.
He said his office is directly monitoring situation regarding the accident and urged anyone who knows any of the passengers who are receiving treatment in any hospital to come forward as the corporation is committed to taking care of their medical bills apart from refunding them their travel fares.
He maintained that the Abuja -Kaduna Train Service is safe and secured and assured Nigerians of the determination of the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the NRC to restore the tracks and recommence commercial operation on the line as soon as possible.
He said the Corporation is poised to strength it’s institutional restriction, optimizing what it has, with more public sector participation in rail development, and repairing and refurnishing all abandoned locomotives and fixed and rolling stocks, and embarking on aggressive freight by railing revolution which is gaining rapid momentum.
Other initiative are building more collaborations with development commissions and states to adopt the Track Access Program to create interstate train services for the use of more Nigerians and the continued modernisation of its infrastructure.
Opeifa reiterated that while the Asham incident is a sad development, it has further reinforced his commitment to continue to push forward the realization of the corporation’s vision 5:10:20, which ultimately would ensure the realization of the use of renewable energy for operations, moving from diesel to gas, and the introduction of high speed train into the nation’s transportation system, with a huge Public Private Participation arrangement to deepen sustainability.
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Headlines

NIWA partners ICPC to strengthen internal transparency in its operations  

Gloria Odion, Maritime Reporter 
The National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) has announced new strategies aimed at improving its operational system and enhancing collaboration with key stakeholders as part of efforts to boost efficiency and accountability.
Speaking at a post event Press Conference at NIWA Headquarters Lokoja, the Acting Managing Director, Umar Yusuf Girei, while answering questions from journalists stated that, the organization convened a two -day Executive and Anti-Corruption training with the theme “Strengthening Integrity and Revenue System in Inland Waterways Management” organized for Board Members, Management and Area Managers and also 2026 NIWA Management Retreat in Abuja.
The Acting MD noted as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,with the support  Adegboyega Oyetola, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Authority is focused on aligning institutional goals in ensuring better service delivery to Nigerians.
He further said, as part of its anti-corruption drive, the Management held discussions with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to explore measures for strengthening transparency within its operations.
Girei therefore, assured staff that the ongoing reforms under his watch would translate into improved service and better working conditions.
“NIWA remains committed to continuous improvement and stakeholder engagement and the reforms are expected to enhance both internal performance and public confidence”. he stated.
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Headlines

Navy appoints new Maritime Guard Commander for NIMASA 

Gloria Odion,  Maritime Reporter 

The Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, has approved the appointment of Commodore Reginald Odeodi Adoki as the Commander of the Maritime Guard Command at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
Commodore Adoki takes over from Commodore H.C Oriekeze who has been redeployed.

Commodore Adoki, a principal Warfare Officer specializing in communication and intelligence,  brings onboard 25 years experience in the Nigerian Navy covering training, staff and operations.

 As a seaman, he has commanded NNS Andoni, NNS Kyanwa and NNS Kada.
It was under his command that NNS Kada under took her maiden voyage, sailing from the country of build (the United Arab Emirates) into Nigeria.
He was commissioned into the Nigerian Navy in 2000 with a BSc in Mathematics.
 He has since earned a Masters in International Law and Diplomacy from the University of Lagos and an M.Sc in Terrorism, Security and Policing at University of Leicester, England.
He is currently pursuing a Ph.D in Defence and Security Studies at the National Defence Academy (NDA).
He is a highly decorated officer with several medals for distinguished service.

Welcoming the new MGC Commander to the Agency, the Director General, Dr Dayo Mobereola, expressed confidence in Adoki’s addition to the team, emphasising that it will further strengthen the nation’s maritime security architecture given his vast experience in the industry.

The Maritime Guard Command domiciled in NIMASA was established as part of the resolutions of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Navy to assist NIMASA strengthen operational efficiency in Nigeria’s territorial waters, especially through enforcement of security, safety and other maritime regulations.

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Customs

Customs collects N1.585 trillion from 51 compliant traders under AEO programme 

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Authorized Economic Operator (AEO), one of the trade facilitation tools introduced by the Nigeria Customs Service in 2025, has begun to yield bountiful harvests with the revenue growth of ₦362.79 billion recorded in 2025.
According to the AEO scorecard released by the Service, the facilitation tool grossed the sum of N1.585 trillion after certification, an increase revenue from N1.222 trillion before certification.
This represents the growth of N362.79 billion(29.68 per cent) for 51 AEO – certified entities as at October, 2025.
The Programme, according to the NCS,  also contributed 21.77% to its total revenue collection of ₦7.281 trillion in 2025, while customs duties paid rose by 85.66% due to enhanced compliance and increased volumes of legitimate trade.
According to AEO Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Report, the Programme achieved an average compliance rate of 85.45 per cent with the highest at 100 per cent and the lowest at 60 per cent.
“The evaluation applied rigorous methodologies to ensure objectivity, transparency, and alignment with the World Customs Organisation (WCO) SAFE Framework of Standards and the provisions of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
“In the area of trade facilitation, AEO participation reduced average cargo clearance time from 168 hours to 41 hours, representing a 75.60% time saving.
“Company operating costs declined by 57.2 per cent while demurrage payments dropped by 90 per cent, limiting capital flight to foreign-owned port service providers and strengthening foreign exchange retention.
” Overall trade efficiency improved by 77.11 per  through digitalisation, simplified procedures, and targeted risk management” the Customs declared in the AEO scorecard.
However, the Service singled out with Eight companies for commendation due to their integrity and compliance under the programme.
The companies include Coleman Technical Industries Limited, WACOT Rice Limited, ROMSON Oil Field Services Ltd, WACOT Limited, Chi Farms Ltd, CORMART Nigeria Ltd, PZ Cussons Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Bottling Company Limited and MTN Nigeria Communications Plc.
The Service lauded them for a cumulative voluntary remittance of over a billion naira into the Federation Account following their self-initiated transaction review and disclosure.
“These actions reflect the strengthening of post-clearance audit mechanisms and a growing culture of voluntary compliance within the trading community.
Nevertheless, the Service suspended a firm under the programme for its non- compliance and display of lack of integrity.
The suspended firm engaged in false declaration of consignments contrary to programme obligations.
“Consequently, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, directed the immediate suspension of the company’s AEO status in accordance with the AEO Guidelines, the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards, and Section 112 of the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023.
The NCS reiterated that the AEO Programme is founded on trust, transparency, and continuous compliance.
“While compliant operators will continue to benefit from expedited clearance and reduced inspection, appropriate sanctions will be applied where violations are established.
“The Service remains resolute in safeguarding national revenue, facilitating legitimate trade, and preserving the integrity and global credibility of Nigeria’s AEO framework” the NCS concluded in the report.
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