Rebirth on the rails: FG flags off eastern railway reconstruction

The Nigerian government has officially kickstarted the long-awaited reconstruction of the Eastern Railway Corridor, a bold move to revive one of the country’s most critical transport arteries.

Confirming the development, Mr. Victor Adamu, Railway District Manager for the Eastern District, told NAN during a nationwide infrastructure survey that work has begun on the narrow-gauge line from Port Harcourt to Aba. The corridor, which cuts across Rivers, Abia, Enugu, Ebonyi, and parts of Benue, forms a key link between Nigeria’s South-East and North Central regions.

According to Adamu, the project segment was handed over to the NRC on November 28, 2024, and trains now run between Port Harcourt and Aba five times a week.

However, reconstruction between Aba and Enugu is currently on hold. Adamu assured that the federal government is addressing the delay and hopes to resume work soon.

He tied the railway revival to President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying it’s a strategic investment to boost national infrastructure and regional trade.

In April 2025, NRC boss Mr. Kayode Opeifa visited Enugu and met with governors of Enugu and Abia States, discussions Adamu described as pivotal for pushing the project forward.

As one of the most commercially significant rail lines in Nigeria, the Eastern Corridor’s rebirth is expected to breathe new life into regional economies and reconnect communities through safer, faster rail services.