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The Senate has launched an investigation into operational lapses and insecurity in Nigeria’s railway system amid concerns over declining service delivery.
The inquiry followed a personal explanation raised during Thursday’s plenary, when a lawmaker drew attention to the deteriorating state of key rail corridors across the country.
Consequently, Senate President Godswill Akpabio constituted an ad hoc committee to undertake a comprehensive review of the railway sector.
The panel will examine project implementation, funding, operational efficiency and service delivery and is expected to submit its report within six weeks.
The Senate first set up the committee in November 2025, with Senator Adams Oshiomhole as its chairman. 
Commenting on rail services, Akpabio criticised the reduced speed of the Abuja–Kaduna train, remarking that the journey has become so slow that a bicycle or keke napep could reach Kaduna faster.
The concerns were earlier raised by Senator Abdul Ningi, who pointed to the condition of the Abuja–Kaduna–Kano rail line and alleged poor execution of the contract.
He noted that despite generating over ₦1.8 billion in revenue, the route has seen no corresponding improvement in services.
Ningi added that the travel time has risen from about one and a half hours to approximately three and a half hours, while operations have been cut to a single daily trip—departing Abuja at 7:00 a.m. with one return service from Kaduna—compared with the multiple daily journeys previously available.
