THE Senate has launched an investigation into operational lapses and security concerns within Nigeria’s railway system, citing a noticeable decline in service quality across major routes.
The probe was initiated after a lawmaker raised a matter of urgent public importance during yesterday’s plenary, drawing attention to the worsening condition of key rail corridors nationwide.
In response, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the inauguration of an ad hoc committee tasked with conducting a comprehensive review of the sector.
The committee will assess the implementation of rail projects, funding utilisation, operational efficiency and overall service delivery, and is expected to submit its findings within six weeks.
Though the panel was first constituted in November 2025, it is chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole.
Expressing concern over declining performance, Akpabio lamented the current state of the Abuja–Kaduna rail service, noting that travel time has slowed so significantly that alternative means such as bicycles or tricycles could reach Kaduna faster than the train.
The issue was earlier highlighted by Senator Abdul Ningi, who criticised the execution of the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano rail project, alleging poor contract performance.
He further claimed that despite generating over ₦1.8 billion in revenue, the rail line has seen no meaningful improvement in service.
According to Ningi, a journey that once took about one and a half hours now lasts roughly three and a half hours.
He also noted that train operations on the route have been reduced to a single daily trip, departing Abuja at 7:00 a.m. and returning from Kaduna, compared to multiple daily services previously offered.
