The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) on Tuesday advanced its formal recertification process for the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Red Line, as part of steps toward granting a substantive operational license for the service.
Following initial facility inspections at Oyingbo and Ikeja, the NRC delegation undertook a full-service assessment ride from Oyingbo to Agbado to evaluate real-time operations and passenger experience.
During the trip, officials interacted with commuters who expressed high satisfaction with the Red Line service, particularly praising its efficiency and comfort. However, passengers strongly called for increased trip frequency, with many advocating for dedicated Saturday operations to better serve weekend travel needs.
The recertification exercise is a critical regulatory requirement for the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) as it seeks to transition from its current one-year provisional license to a full operational permit.
The NRC team, led by Mr. Oyekunle Oyewole, Head of the Bureau of Public Enterprises Directorate (BuPED), alongside officials including Mr. Adegoke Omojola and Barrister N. Nnorom, is focused on ensuring that the rail system meets stringent safety, reliability, and efficiency standards required for long-term service delivery.
The recertification comes at a crucial time, as the Lagos State Government prepares to receive additional rolling stock to boost capacity.
Currently operating nine passenger trips daily, the Red Line is expected to scale up significantly once the new train sets are deployed, enabling it to meet rising commuter demand across the metropolis.
LAMATA’s rail team, including Engr. Joseph Akinpelu, Mr. Akinwale Akintola, and Mr. Ayo Azeez, continues to work closely with NRC officials to finalize the licensing process and usher in an expanded, more reliable rail service for residents of Lagos and surrounding areas.
