Abuja–Kaduna Train: A Journey That Shows Progress and the Need for More Investment

 *Muhammad Iskeel Abdullahi*

Today, Tuesday, August 11, 2026, I boarded the Abuja–Kaduna train from Rigasa Station, Kaduna.

One of the first things I noticed was an additional layer of passenger screening at the outer barricade. Passengers were required to present their tickets before proceeding to the main ticket-scanning point.

It may appear to be a small administrative adjustment, but it could make a meaningful difference. Beyond improving passenger control, the arrangement has the potential to discourage touting and ensure that only genuine ticket holders proceed towards the boarding area.

Another positive development was the timely departure of the train.

The service left as scheduled something that may appear routine, but which is fundamental to building public confidence in any transportation system.

As the heavy steel machine moved steadily towards Abuja, I decided to walk through some of the coaches.

For me, this was more than simply stretching my legs. It was an opportunity to practise what journalists describe as participant observation: being physically present, observing the environment and listening to passengers in order to gain a better understanding of their experience.

I noticed that very few passengers were standing in the coaches. Some appeared to be stretching their legs, while others may simply have wanted a brief escape from the rather chilly air-conditioning.

The public-address announcements continued, informing passengers of our arrival at Asham, Rijana, Kubwa and eventually Idu.

But another small, recurring issue caught my attention: some passengers appeared confused about the seating arrangements.

Thankfully, the situations were resolved amicably.

The confusion appeared to involve passengers unfamiliar with the numbered seating system, as well as groups travelling together whose allocated seats were not necessarily next to one another.

I also overheard some passengers expressing frustration about difficulties associated with purchasing tickets online.

While there may be several factors responsible for this, the frequency and availability of train services deserve closer attention.

And this brings me to the bigger picture.

We thank Almighty Allah for a safe journey. But a safe and timely journey should also encourage us to ask a broader question:

How can we make the Abuja–Kaduna railway service better, more accessible and more responsive to the growing needs of its passengers?

This is not merely a transportation facility connecting two cities.

The Abuja–Kaduna railway serves a much wider population across the North. It is an important link for citizens, businesses, students, civil servants and other travellers moving between Kaduna, Abuja and communities beyond.

For that reason, I believe the Federal Government should continue to explore greater investment in the service including additional locomotives and coaches, stronger supporting infrastructure, improved ticketing systems and, where operationally and economically feasible, increased daily services.

More trips would give passengers greater flexibility, reduce pressure on available services and potentially make rail transportation a more attractive alternative for people who would otherwise depend on the roads.

But this responsibility should not rest entirely with the Federal Government.

I also appeal to Northern governors, legislators, business leaders, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations and other influential stakeholders to make their voices heard.

They should collectively engage the Federal Government and advocate for sustained investment in the Abuja–Kaduna railway.

If we genuinely want to see infrastructure in the North improve, we must move beyond complaints.

We need constructive, persistent and evidence-based advocacy for better public services.

The Abuja–Kaduna train has demonstrated that rail transportation can make a real difference in the lives of Nigerians.

What we need now is not abandonment, but investment, expansion, efficiency and sustainability.

A reliable railway is not simply about moving people from Kaduna to Abuja.

It is about connecting communities, supporting commerce, facilitating movement, reducing pressure on our roads and creating a more efficient transportation network for the region.

The journey today was encouraging.

But it also reminded me that progress should never be the reason we stop asking for improvement.

The train is moving. Let us make sure it keeps moving forward.

NRC denies leaving passengers stranded, apologizes over Abuja-Kaduna Train service delay

Yomi Durojaye  | AgegePulse Magazine 

The Management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation have apologized to all passengers on the afternoon belt of the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) over the delay they experienced following a procedural safety decision as the backup engine loses power moments after the train departed.

The Managing Director of the Corporation Dr Kayode Opeifa, described as misleading the report which indicated that passengers on the train were stranded by the corporation.

He said the Corporation’s premium on safety at all times informed the reason why the train returned to Kaduna, the moment it was discovered that the back-up engines was losing power.

“Though the train can push through but for security concerns on the route and since they are less than 30 minutes into the journey, it is advisable to pull back to Rigasa, Kaduna for safety reasons,” Dr Opeifa said.

The journey resumed at 4pm (60 minutes after) and arrived Idu at 18.52 hour. Eighty minutes behind schedule. Passengers were kept informed through Public Address Systems (PAS) on the train and at the Rigasa Station.

He likened what happened to what happens to an aircraft that proceeds to the nearest airport rather than to its destination when one or both engines fails, adding that if it was morning trip, the train would have proceeded and shunt at the nearest train stations (Jere, Rijana or Gidan) but decided against it because it is evening trip.

The Managing Director apologized for the inconveniences experienced by the passengers, even as he urged the nation’s media houses to always clarify any reports they had before rushing out to publish to avoid misinforming their critical readers. 

The Managing Director reassured passengers and stakeholders that the NRC remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and reliability across all its legacy corridors whether the narrow or standard gauges, adding that the corporation remains committed to taking all its esteemed passengers to their destinations, safely.

Lagos Assembly Controversial Bill: Those Behind It Lack Knowledge Of History, Culture, Tendencies Of Lagos People – Opeifa

 

  AgegePulse  Magazine 

Opeifa

Former Commissioner of Transport in Lagos State, Dr Kayode Opeifa has described those behind the controversial Delineation Bill of the Lagos State House of Assembly as lacking knowledge of the history, culture and tendencies of the people of Lagos, reports The Gazelle News.com.

Speaking exclusively with this medium after validating his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Opeifa described the controversial Bill being against the history, culture, heritage and tendencies of people of the state.

“The promoters of this bill are certainly not oblivious of the history, culture and tendencies of this state,” Opeifa said.

According to him, “the administrative divisions of Lagos State – IBILE, and its components make Lagos unique and special. This is the basis of the of peaceful coexistence of the original people of Lagos and its settlers at creation in 1967. This is a careful example of a people united in diversity.

Gazselw

LASG announces war against traffic, environmental offenders

…Appoints Opeifa To Head Committee On Law Enforcement

AgegePulse Magazine

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has announced an inter-agency collaboration of all security and law enforcement agencies within the State to bring about lawful order.

He said The Monitoring and Enforcement Coordination Committee to be headed by former Commissioner for Transport in the state, Comrade Kayode Opeifa is to monitor and enforce all the new executive orders and other existing laws of the state with high sense of responsibility and the seriousness they deserve.

Speaking to newsmen after a meeting of the committee with the Governor, Odumosu said the team, which is ready to annihilate all forms of crimes across the State has the backing of the Governor to move into action immediately.

He also warned that there is no longer any hiding place for miscreants using any of the agencies as shield or fronts to perpetrate crime(s) in the State as the new synergy formed would allow each agency to act on behalf of the other for efficiency.

He said: “We just came out of a meeting with the Governor of the State and the pivot of our meeting is enforcing all the laws of Lagos State. All the heads of the government agencies that are involved in enforcing laws of the State.

“So, we have come together to let any lawless members of the community know that Lagos of today won't condone their lawlessness. We are together now in synergy, putting all our resources together and go after the lawbreakers in the society.

“Because we are now together, you cannot hide under any agency to break laws. An officer of LASTMA can do the job of a KAI if he is the one present at the scene of the crime. All security agents across the State can get involved in maintaining law and order, not withstanding if it's within their jurisdiction because we now work in Synergy.”

He added that “Mobile Courts will now move from one point to another so we can now have instant judgement. All the laws will now be fully enforced”

Chairman of the Committee, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, said the Committee is charged by the Governor with the duty of keying into the dream of a Greater Lagos via a systematic approach of enforcing law and order.

He said the committee is put together to simplify approach to keeping a sane society through a well coordinated activities of all agencies in the state saddled with the responsibility of making Lagos safe for optimum performance.

According to him: “The whole essence of the meeting with the Governor is to align with the Greater Lagos dream. To support the effort of the government in making life better for Lagosians.

“We will monitor the enforcement agencies to ensure they don't violate any fundamental rights or the laws establishing their agencies. More importantly, to encourage to do their job without fear or favour. To provide technical understanding on the nitty-gritty of their assignments.”

Lagos West deserves better representation – Opeifa

Gbenga Adeniji

A former Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, has said the desire to provide a better representation is the reason he is vying for the All Progressives Congress’ ticket in the Lagos West senatorial district.

Speaking with journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, the APC chieftain in Orile-Agege Local Council Development Area, stated that he would give the district the deserved attention if given the opportunity to serve.

The ex-commissioner is eyeing the position which is currently occupied by Senator Adeola Olamilekan.

Opeifa said, “I will ensure a better representation as well as bring the plight of the people of the senatorial district to the attention of the Federal Government if given the opportunity to serve. I believe my representation will not only benefit the people of my senatorial district, but also the entire country as I will ensure a robust debate in the Assembly.

“I believe Lagos West deserves better representation that is full- time. As the largest senatorial district in the country; some of its constituents are bigger than the population of a state and I believe it can be better.”

Dismissing insinuations that the party leadership had endorsed a candidate for the position, he added that the party always provided a level-playing field for members desiring to contest any position

Opeifa further said what was needed on the Lagos-Badagry Expressway was more than a motion.

He noted, “What we need is not just a motion, but a collaboration between the state and the Federal Government. I will ensure that it further receive the attention of the Federal Government so that it can receive national attention.”

Punch