President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of Kayode Opeifa as the substantive Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC). Opeifa’s appointment, announced on Wednesday, fills the position previously held by Ben Iloanusi in an acting capacity since October 18, 2024, following the retirement of Fidet Okhiria after two four-year tenures.
Opeifa, a former Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation under Governor Babatunde Fashola, is well-known for his transformative contributions to urban transport systems. During his tenure, he implemented policies that modernized Lagos’ transportation framework, improved traffic management, and positioned the state as a benchmark for urban transport development in Africa.
Beyond Lagos, Opeifa served as the Transport Secretary for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under former President Muhammadu Buhari. He further cemented his reputation as a problem solver by addressing Lagos’ notorious Apapa gridlock. As Vice-Chairman of the Presidential Task Team (PTT) on Apapa traffic, he collaborated with former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the team’s chairman, to decongest Lagos ports and improve logistics.
In his new role as NRC Managing Director, Opeifa is expected to bring his extensive expertise in transportation to advance Nigeria’s railway infrastructure and services, a key component of the nation’s economic growth strategy.
