The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, has pledged his ministry’s full support to the newly appointed Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, in advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
This assurance was given on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, when Dr. Opeifa officially assumed office at the Ministry of Transportation. In a statement by Umar Alkali Jibril, Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the Minister, Alkali lauded President Tinubu’s choice of Opeifa, describing him as a seasoned administrator with a proven track record.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has made a right choice by appointing Dr. Kayode Opeifa, whose wealth of experience as a former Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation and former Transport Secretary for the Federal Capital Territory will be invaluable to the rail sector,” Alkali said.
Vision for Railway Modernization
The Minister urged Opeifa to leverage his expertise to drive the Federal Government’s railway modernization projects, a cornerstone of the Renewed Hope Agenda. “Your leadership will be instrumental in transforming Nigeria’s rail transport system and delivering on our transportation goals,” Alkali added.
Dr. Opeifa, who succeeds Mr. Ben Iloanusi as NRC Managing Director, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to Nigeria’s transportation development. “I see my appointment as a rare privilege to work with Mr. President in transforming the rail transport system, which is listed as one of the eight priorities of this administration,” he said.
Commitment to Excellence
Opeifa assured that his tenure would focus on actualizing the government’s vision for a modern and efficient railway network across the country. “I am committed to delivering sound policies and programs in collaboration with the Ministry of Transportation to improve the sector and make rail transportation a reliable option for Nigerians,” he stated.
Leadership Transition at the NRC
Dr. Opeifa’s appointment follows the retirement of Engineer Fidet Okhiria, who served two consecutive terms as NRC Managing Director until October 18, 2024. Opeifa steps into the role with the mandate to further strengthen the railway sector, ensuring it contributes significantly to Nigeria’s economic growth and mobility.
The appointment underscores the Tinubu administration’s focus on infrastructure development as a driver of national progress, with rail transportation playing a pivotal role in achieving sustainable economic transformation.
