THE Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has carried out a sweeping management reorganisation, barely ten days after a train derailment on the Kaduna–Abuja corridor left at least 20 passengers injured.
According to an internal memo obtained by News Point Nigeria late on Thursday, the restructuring, which took effect from September 1, 2025, was approved by NRC’s Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, and involves major redeployments, new appointments, and the creation of strategic offices aimed at tightening oversight and improving service delivery.
The shake-up affects nearly all of NRC’s operational corridors, with Regional District Managers (RDMs) and senior officers either reassigned, elevated, or retained in critical posts.
As part of the reforms, the NRC has established three new offices:
Business Process, Efficiency and Due Diligence Desk (BUPED)
Customer Service Desk
Statistician Office
The new units are expected to strengthen internal processes, enhance passenger engagement, and improve data-driven planning across the corporation.
Among the most notable changes:
Western District (Ibadan): Former RDM Nneka Ikwuka moves to Lagos as Coordinator for Freight Services, Lagos–Kano (Narrow Gauge). She is replaced by Naomi Itajobi, formerly Assistant Director of Procurement.
North-West District (Minna): Former RDM Suleiman Obafunsho now serves at NRC Headquarters as Project Coordinator for the Lagos–Kano Narrow Gauge Rehabilitation. Ilesanmi Ayokunle, once Assistant Director of Track, succeeds him.
Eastern District (Enugu): Victor Adanu becomes Assistant Director, Train Monitoring and Control, at NRC HQ. He is replaced by Agwonye Ejike, previously Chief Accountant.
Lagos District: Augustine Arisa becomes Coordinator, Locomotive Services and Maintenance, while Rasheed Adewale Adedeji (former RDM, Northern District, Zaria) assumes the role of RDM, Lagos District.
Northern District (Zaria): Aliyu Mainasara, ex-RDM North Eastern District (Bauchi), now heads the Zaria office.
North Eastern District (Bauchi): Zirra Marcellinus, formerly Assistant Director of Operations, takes charge as RDM. Wilson Obada retains his position as RDM, North Central District, Bauchi.
Warri–Itakpe Corridor: Abdulganiyu Sani, former Coordinator of WITS, redeployed as Coordinator, Freight Services, Warri–Itakpe, while Wyep Najul (Assistant Director of Operations) becomes Coordinator, WITS Standard Gauge.
Abuja–Kaduna Line: Mohammed Ibrahim remains as Manager, Abuja–Kaduna Train Services.
Other strategic postings include:
Oyekunle Oyewole as Head of BUPED.
Nma Odimkalu, Chief Internal Auditor, who will also serve as Coordinator, Freight SG Lagos–Ibadan.
Dennis Ujah, Chief Human Resource Officer (Protocol & Transport), who now doubles as Coordinator, Lagos Terminus Business District.
A.T. Quadri as Coordinator, Coach and Wagon.
Rita Onyiagha as Corporate Head of the new Customer Service Desk