The Senate has constituted an ad hoc committee to investigate alleged growing decadence in the operations of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), following concerns over declining services, revenue losses and deteriorating infrastructure.
The probe was triggered by a point of order raised at plenary on Thursday by Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi), who described the current state of key rail corridors, particularly the Abuja–Kaduna and Kano lines, as a “tragic Nigerian story” despite heavy investments made by successive administrations.
Ningi recalled that the rail lines, commissioned in 2015, initially operated up to 10 daily trips with thousands of passengers, generating about ₦1.8 billion monthly, but have now reportedly declined to just two trips a day, carrying fewer than 1,000 passengers.
He warned that Nigeria could no longer afford to allow vital infrastructure and scarce public resources to decay unchecked, stressing that the situation should concern both lawmakers and the wider public.
Contributing, Senator Adamu Alero (APC, Kebbi) said the NRC is grappling with serious revenue challenges caused by reduced trips and the destruction of rail coaches by bandits, noting that funding to replace damaged assets is yet to be released.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio upheld the motion and directed the ad hoc committee, chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo), to submit its findings to the Senate within six weeks, as lawmakers intensify oversight of the nation’s railway system.
