Lagos gains permanent rail operating licence from Nigerian Railway Corporation

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has granted the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) a permanent operating licence and a long‑term Track Access Agreement. The licence allows LAMATA to run passenger and freight services on the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line and to expand operations onto the Blue Line and any future rail corridors under a 15‑year framework.

Under the new arrangement service frequency on the Red Line is slated to rise from nine to 24 daily trips by the fourth quarter of 2026, supported by additional rolling stock capable of carrying at least 2,000 passengers per direction. NRC Managing Director Dr. Kayode Opeifa highlighted the partnership as a shift toward allowing multiple operators on federal rail infrastructure, while LAMATA Managing Director Engr. Abimbola Akinajo called it a landmark step for urban mobility in Lagos.