January 29, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
Abuja, Nigeria — The Nigerian Senate on Thursday inaugurated an ad hoc committee to investigate deepening operational inefficiencies and worsening insecurity affecting the nation’s railway system amid rising concerns over declining service delivery across key rail corridors.
The probe follows a personal explanation raised on the Senate floor by lawmakers who drew attention to the deteriorating condition of major rail routes, especially the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano line, highlighting declining service quality and prolonged travel times.
In plenary, Senator Godswill Akpabio, President of the Senate, formally inaugurated the committee, chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole, saying the Senate must act to uphold its constitutional oversight responsibilities. The committee is mandated to examine project execution, funding, operational efficiency, service delivery, and security issues within the railway sector, with a six-week deadline to submit its report.
Senators cited the rapid decline in performance along the Abuja–Kaduna corridor, where the trip that once took around one and a half hours now reportedly takes more than three and a half hours, and daily departures have dwindled from multiple services to just one.
Lawmakers also raised concerns about the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano rail line’s contract execution, questioning the quality of work and outcomes despite the line reportedly generating significant revenue.
The recently constituted committee originally formed in November 2025 will now undertake a comprehensive and focused inspection of Nigeria’s rail system, including reviewing funding patterns and whether infrastructure delivered aligns with expenditures made.