Seyi Osiyemi Calls on President Tinubu to Appoint Independent Task Force for Railway Reform, Says Opeifa’s Appointment Alone Won’t Fix Sector

Seyi Osiyemi, a global transport expert and respected voice in Nigeria’s transportation sector, has described the appointment of Mr. Kayode Opeifa as Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as a positive move. Opeifa’s tenure as a former Lagos Transport Commissioner demonstrates his experience and capability. However, Osiyemi warns that leadership changes alone will not solve the deep-rooted challenges undermining Nigeria’s railway sector.

Osiyemi identifies the Nigerian Railway Corporation Act of 1955 as a fundamental obstacle. The law grants the NRC both operational and regulatory authority, a framework Osiyemi says is incompatible with modern global standards. “The British colonialists who introduced railways in Nigeria have since reformed their own system,” he noted, highlighting that most countries have separated regulation from operations to encourage private sector competition and innovation.

This dual role, according to Osiyemi, prevents the NRC from enacting meaningful reforms. He argues that expecting the corporation to overhaul itself is unrealistic and likened it to the failed attempts by Nigeria’s defunct National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) to self-reform. “Just as NEPA could not reform itself, the NRC cannot be expected to drive the structural changes needed for a competitive and efficient railway system,” he emphasized.

To achieve a comprehensive transformation, Osiyemi proposes the establishment of an Independent Railway Reform Task Force. He suggests modeling the initiative after successful sector reforms, such as those implemented during President Olusegun Obasanjo’s administration in the power sector and the ongoing tax reforms spearheaded by an independent task force outside the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Osiyemi stresses that the task force should report directly to the Presidency to avoid bureaucratic constraints and institutional self-interest. He also recommends strict rules to prevent conflicts of interest, ensuring that task force members are barred from benefiting through future contracts or positions within the reformed railway sector.

“Railway is serious business worldwide. If Nigeria wants to compete on the global stage, we must stop treating it as an afterthought and start treating it as a national priority,” Osiyemi stated.

The appointment of Mr. Kayode Opeifa comes at a time when the Nigerian government is placing renewed emphasis on infrastructure development. While many stakeholders see this as a critical opportunity to modernize the nation’s railway system, Osiyemi insists that without an independent reform body, true progress may remain elusive.

Profile: Seyi Osiyemi

Seyi Osiyemi is a globally recognized urban transportation and mobility expert, specializing in mass transit operations, transport policy, and strategic infrastructure planning. His professional career spans multiple continents, including Africa, Europe, Australasia, and the Middle East. Osiyemi has contributed to transportation projects in diverse countries, such as the United Kingdom, Australia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and the United Arab Emirates.

He has a strong passion for sustainable transportation solutions, particularly in emerging economies, and is known for using data-driven approaches to optimize urban transit systems. Osiyemi’s expertise includes managing multidisciplinary teams across various stages of public transport projects.

Having held senior roles in both public and private transport sectors, Osiyemi brings deep insights into the structural and operational challenges facing Nigeria’s railway sector. His advocacy for bold reforms highlights his commitment to advancing national infrastructure for economic growth and global competitiveness.

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