The South-West Development Commission (SWDC) has signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to initiate an ambitious regional railway connectivity project that will link all six states of the South-West geopolitical zone.
The agreement, signed on Thursday in Abuja, marks a major step toward modernising transportation infrastructure and deepening economic integration across Lagos, Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, and Ekiti States.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NRC described the partnership as a transformative leap for regional mobility, noting that enhanced rail connectivity would reduce travel time, open trade corridors, and stimulate industrial development within the region.
According to the SWDC leadership, the rail initiative is designed to support the region’s long-term development blueprint by providing efficient transport for both passengers and freight. It will also ease pressure on roads, reduce logistics costs for businesses, and promote urban–rural linkages.
Funding for the project will be drawn from the SWDC budget and a structured Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model, allowing private investors to participate in financing, construction, and management. Officials explained that this blended financing approach will ensure sustainability, transparency, and timely execution of the project.
The planned rail network will integrate with existing national lines while creating new intra-regional routes capable of boosting tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing. Feasibility studies and technical assessments are expected to begin immediately, with phased implementation to follow.
Stakeholders from the six South-West states have welcomed the development, describing it as a visionary step that aligns with global best practices in regional infrastructure development.
The MoU signals the start of what many anticipate will become one of the most impactful infrastructural investments in the history of the South-West.