Forum wants Tinubu to extend Warri–Itakpe–Ujevwu rail corridor

The Niger Delta Civil Society Forum (NCSF), operating under the formal registration of the Organisation for Human and Peoples Rights Protection and Humanitarian (OHPRPH), has issued a compelling appeal to President Bola Tinubu for the urgent extension of the Warri–Itakpe–Ujevwu rail line to Abuja. This call is not merely a suggestion but a demand rooted in the observed realities of passenger demand and the clear economic viability of such an expansion. The NCSF argues that extending this vital corridor to the Federal Capital Territory will significantly enhance mobility, stimulate trade, and alleviate the strain on existing transportation networks across Nigeria.

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The expansion of the rail corridor to the Federal Capital Territory will enhance mobility, boost trade, and ease the burden on existing transport systems across the country.

This appeal comes in the wake of a chaotic incident on April 25, 2026, where passengers on the Warri–Itakpe–Ujevwu train service experienced severe overcrowding, raising serious safety concerns and highlighting systemic failures within the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). Eyewitness accounts described passengers crammed into aisles and pressing against toilet doors in suffocating conditions, painting a grim picture of the service's current state. The NCSF attributes this crisis to chronic underinvestment, weak operational control, and the absence of a coherent national rail strategy, pointing out the NRC's struggle to meet rising demand with insufficient rolling stock and aging infrastructure.

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This is not an isolated case but a reflection of systemic failure.

From a Nigerian perspective, the Warri–Itakpe corridor represents more than just a transport route; it is a critical lifeline, especially as road travel between the North and South becomes increasingly perilous and expensive. The NCSF's critique of the NRC's inefficiencies, including overbooking, ticket racketeering, and poor service delivery, resonates with the experiences of many Nigerians who rely on public transport. The forum's proposed solutions—expanding rolling stock, maintaining tracks, implementing a transparent digital ticketing system, and strengthening operational oversight—are practical steps toward revitalizing the rail sector. The push for a direct rail link to Abuja is particularly significant, promising not only improved passenger movement but also enhanced economic integration between the resource-rich Niger Delta and the nation's capital, fostering regional development and job creation.

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The Warri–Itakpe corridor has become a critical lifeline for Nigerians, particularly as road travel between the North and South grows increasingly unsafe and expensive.