NRC Raises Bar on Passenger Safety, Promotes Staff Healthcare
In line with global best practices, the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) joined the international community to mark the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, underscoring a healthy workforce and passenger safety as essential to seamless train operations.
The NRC management, led by Dr. Kayode Opeifa, used the occasion to reaffirm its commitment to improving staff welfare, workplace conditions, and passenger safety. He described this year’s theme, “Good psychosocial working environments: A pathway to thriving workers and strong organizations”, as timely and deeply relevant to the corporation’s operations.
In a statement issued by the Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Uyinmadu, Opeifa addressed all categories of workers, from train drivers to technical and administrative staff. He noted the demanding nature of railway work and the shared responsibility of every employee in ensuring passenger safety.
Opeifa stated that workers across all standard gauge routes, including Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna, Warri-Itakpe, as well as the narrow gauge lines (Port Harcourt-Aba, Lagos-Kano, Lagos-Ogun, and Jos-Kuru-Bukuru mass transit trains) play critical roles in maintaining the safety of the nation’s rail network.
“Nigerians trust us to move them safely, and that trust begins with how safe and supported we feel at work,” Opeifa said.
He acknowledged the physical and mental stress associated with railway operation, long shifts, night duties, and pressure to maintain strict schedules, adding that stress, fatigue, and poor communication significantly increase safety risks across the system. According to him, a tired driver, distracted technician, or demoralized station officer is a risk to the entire rail network, as a direct link exists between employee wellbeing and operational safety.
Regarding feedback from workers on heavy workloads, irregular shift patterns, and inadequate facilities, especially at remote train sub-stations, Opeifa said such feedback would now be treated as a central pillar of management’s broader safety strategy.
As part of the 2026 action plan, the NRC management is committed to improving working conditions and supporting employee wellbeing. Opeifa said the corporation would foster a more respectful and inclusive workplace culture, adding that every role, from terminal cleaners to senior engineers, is vital to the smooth running of railway services.
He also disclosed plans to expand access to staff welfare and medical services, with a stronger focus on mental health support. Employees experiencing stress or emotional challenges are being encouraged to seek help through supervisors, union representatives, or medical personnel.
Opeifa called on individual employees to take personal responsibility for promoting a safer and healthier work environment and to report psychosocial risks with the same urgency as physical hazards.
“A healthy, supported workforce is how we keep NRC running safely, reliably, and proudly,” Opeifa stated.