The Lagos State Government has significantly expanded its long-term rail development strategy, increasing the number of planned rail corridors from six to 11 rail lines and one monorail as part of efforts to build an integrated mass transit system for the state’s growing population.
The expansion was announced by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) following the signing of an agreement with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) to establish a Railway Training Centre in Lagos.
The revised rail network forms part of the state’s updated Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP), which aims to reduce traffic congestion and improve urban mobility through a modern multimodal transport system.
Currently, only the first phases of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue and Red Lines are operational, while construction continues on the second phases of both corridors.
Abimbola Akinajo, LAMATA Managing Director, said the expanded rail network reflects Lagos’ rising transportation needs and long-term vision of developing a world-class public transit system.
According to her, the scale of the planned network makes investment in human capital essential. “The Strategic Transport Master Plan has now been updated to include 11 rail lines and one monorail. For a network of this scale to be sustainable, we need a proper certified training system covering signalling, maintenance, operations and customer service,” she said.
She added that the state aims to ensure the rail system is operated and maintained by Nigerians. “Our goal is to ensure that the infrastructure we build is operated and maintained by Nigerians. This will guarantee the longevity of our transit systems, create meaningful employment opportunities for our youths and contribute significantly to the growth of the Nigerian economy.”
Akinajo described the planned Railway Training Centre as a strategic investment that will equip Nigerians with the technical skills required to operate and maintain the state’s expanding rail infrastructure.
She noted that Lagos has already made substantial progress in developing local railway expertise through the Blue and Red Line projects.
According to LAMATA, more than 400 personnel, including train operators, customer service officers and operations staff, have been trained since commercial rail services began.
The agency also disclosed that over 90 per cent of Blue Line personnel are Nigerians, with expatriates occupying only a few highly specialised technical positions.
CCECC Vice President Sun Xiangchun described the training centre as timely, saying the rapid expansion of Lagos’ rail network would require a new generation of highly skilled railway professionals.
He said the facility will combine classroom instruction, simulation-based learning, practical training and professional certification, while aligning with the China-Africa Vocational Education Plan jointly endorsed by the governments of Nigeria and China.
LAMATA said the training centre is central to its strategy of reducing dependence on foreign expertise while supporting what is expected to become one of Africa’s largest urban rail systems.
The state’s original transport master plan proposed six rail lines, but the updated framework significantly expands the network.
Beyond the operational Blue and Red Lines, planned corridors include the 68-kilometre Green Line, 85.7-kilometre Purple Line, 48-kilometre Orange Line, the Yellow Line, and several additional routes under the revised master plan.
The Green Line, estimated to cost about $3 billion, will connect Marina to the Lekki Free Zone and is being developed in partnership with the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) and China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC).
The Federal Government has earmarked N146.14 billion in the 2025 budget and N102.3 billion in the 2026 budget as counterpart funding for the project.
The rail expansion aligns with Lagos State’s broader 2050 Strategic Transport and Mobility Master Plan, which prioritises rail, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and ferry services over continuous road expansion.
State officials say the new strategy is designed to improve connectivity, reduce congestion and support a projected population of 45 million by 2050.
In June, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) granted LAMATA a 15-year rail operating licence covering the Blue Line, Red Line and future rail corridors developed within the licence period.
Under the arrangement, new rail lines completed during the licence period will only require final safety and operational inspections before commencing passenger services, eliminating the need for fresh operating licences.
With the expanded rail blueprint and investment in local capacity, Lagos is positioning mass transit as the backbone of its future transportation system, with the goal of delivering faster, more efficient and sustainable mobility for millions of residents.
