Former Minister of Information and Culture and Special Adviser to the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, Mr. Lai Mohammed, has commended the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, for his ongoing efforts towards repositioning the Corporation and revitalising railway transportation in Nigeria.
Mohammed gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the NRC Legacy Museum in Lagos on Monday, October 19, 2026, where he emphasised the strategic importance of railway transportation to national development and the need to preserve Nigeria’s rich railway heritage for future generations.
The former Minister, who was received by the Director of Operations, NRC, Mr. Akin Oshinowo, representing the Managing Director, alongside members of the Legacy Museum management team, described the ongoing transformation efforts within the Corporation as commendable.
He encouraged Dr. Opeifa to remain steadfast in his determination to move the Corporation forward, noting that meaningful institutional transformation requires commitment, resilience, courage and individuals who are genuinely passionate about achieving results.
According to him, the railway sector remains a critical component of Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure, with enormous potential to stimulate economic activities, facilitate the movement of people and goods, and contribute significantly to national development.
He further stressed the importance of preserving the historical identity of the Nigerian railway system, observing that the sector’s rich heritage represents an important aspect of the country’s transportation history.
Mohammed equally encouraged the management of the NRC Legacy Museum to sustain its efforts towards preserving historical artefacts, documents and other materials that reflect the evolution of railway transportation in Nigeria.
He noted that beyond preserving history, the museum has the potential to serve as an important centre for education, tourism, research and public enlightenment, particularly for younger generations seeking to understand the contributions of rail transportation to Nigeria’s socioeconomic development.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the President of the NRC Legacy Museum, Mr. Taiye Olaniyi, expressed appreciation to the former Minister for finding time to visit the facility.
Olaniyi explained that the museum was established to preserve and showcase the Corporation’s historical achievements while connecting the past, present and future of railway transportation in Nigeria.
He noted that the museum houses historical materials and artefacts that provide valuable insights into the evolution of railway operations, infrastructure development and the contributions of railway transportation to the growth of communities and commercial activities across the country.
Also speaking, the Director of Operations, Mr. Akin Oshinowo, who represented the NRC Managing Director, conveyed Dr. Opeifa’s warm greetings and appreciation to Mohammed for his interest in the Corporation and its historical heritage.
Oshinowo noted that the Managing Director holds the former Minister in high regard and appreciates his continued interest in initiatives capable of promoting Nigeria’s cultural and transportation heritage.
He expressed optimism that the visit would further draw attention to the tourism potential of the railway sector, particularly in the areas of heritage preservation, educational tourism and public engagement.
The Director reiterated the Corporation’s commitment to improving railway service delivery while ensuring that its rich institutional history is adequately preserved and promoted.
The highlight of the visit was a guided tour of the Legacy Museum, during which Mohammed was taken through various sections of the facility and acquainted with historical exhibits depicting the development and contributions of railway transportation in Nigeria.
The visit also brought renewed attention to the opportunities available for integrating railway heritage into Nigeria’s tourism development initiatives, particularly through the promotion of historical railway facilities and educational excursions.
For the Nigerian Railway Corporation, the visit represents another opportunity to strengthen stakeholder relationships and showcase the railway sector not only as an essential means of transportation but also as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and industrial heritage.
Under the leadership of Dr. Kayode Opeifa, the Corporation continues to pursue initiatives aimed at improving operational efficiency, enhancing passenger experience, strengthening stakeholder engagement and repositioning railway transportation as a dependable contributor to national economic development.
The NRC remains committed to preserving its historical legacy while advancing its mandate of providing safe, reliable, efficient and customer-focused railway services across the country.
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