The Lagos — Ibadan Train : Another example of Nigeria’s unrealised potential
By: Sola-Aremu 'Pelumi
Tags: Nigeria, Lagos, Economy, Ibadan, Infrastructure

The Lagos — Ibadan stretch of the proposed high-speed rail connecting Lagos, the economic capital of Nigeria, and Kano in the Northern part of the country, commenced operations in the early days of December. For anyone familiar with the terrain of the country, the Lagos — Ibadan route is an essential one that serves as a vantage route for the movement of goods and people. It acts as the gateway to other south-western cities as well as the Northern part of Nigeria.

Being such a strategic connection, one has to wonder why it has taken the Federal Government of Nigeria so many years to establish this connection via rail and complete the many lingering contracts to revamp the entire road. (The last time I made use of the road, I swore never to, preferring to explore the ridiculous 15mins flight to Lagos). This, alongside other thoughts, were swirling through my mind as I took off on the return leg of my trip to explore the rail from Ebutte Metta Train Station in Lagos to the Obafemi Awolowo Train Station in Moniya, Ibadan.

The general feeling on the train was excitement. The elderly could be heard remarking to the kids, eager to ride on a train for the first time in their home country, that they also experienced this in their early years. I also have to admit, having ridden the New York Subway, London Underground, and other ambitious projects across the world, I felt a sense of pride to be riding on this proposed high-speed rail in the country of my forebears. For me, however, beneath this excitement was a mixture of anger and disappointment in the current Nigerian government and the many before it. Despite how laudable this project is, it has come too late and is evidence of the thoughtlessness with which we have approached infrastructure projects in the country.

I have always wondered about the economic prowess of those who have administered Nigeria. Despite the oil price highs during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, Nigeria’s economy and its government by extension, have been unable to better the lives of their citizens. The standard of living keeps falling while the middle class keeps getting slimmer and slimmer. Out on the streets, the consensus is that the middle class no longer exists in Nigeria. I have always perceived the proper management of the economy to be the most instrumental way a government can create long-lasting change to improve the lot of its citizens. This is a time-tested approach exemplified in developed countries of the world and observed in BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa).

If you are familiar with the southern Nigeria landscape, you would realize just as I have, the potential to use our terrain to our advantage and transform Nigeria into an economic powerhouse (keep in mind that Abuja is the farthest I’ve been up north). The River Niger and Benue can be properly harnessed by dredging to allow container bearing ships access from inland ports to Lokoja. Thus, opening up the country to create sites of production all across the country. Instead, due to the inability of the government to embark on and successfully deliver on these ambitious projects, the manufacturing plants are presently crowded in Ogun state to enable easier access to the one functioning port in the country, the Apapa port.

For a country with such an extensive coastline as Nigeria, it is embarrassing that the Apapa port is the only functioning one existing. The general and consideration worthy opinion is that this has been a deliberate effort to keep the people of the Niger Delta languishing by denying them these key infrastructure projects. It is a wonder what the NDDC is using the billions earmarked to it from the Nation’s budget to do.

The Lagos-Ibadan train is a step in the right direction and exemplifies how simple infrastructural projects can have far-reaching implications on the lifestyle and economic well-being of people. Already, the terminals along the rail line are beginning to witness improved economic activities. Productivity would increase as people can reach Lagos faster, reducing the time usually expended on the notorious traffic getting into Lagos. Possibly, we might begin to witness a decongestion of Lagos as people begin to realize there is the alternative of living in a smaller city and commuting into Lagos for work. These are the many options thoughtful projects like this can create.

Nigeria suffers from many ails of which one article cannot fully detail. Nonetheless, what I really would love to see from the Nigerian government is a thoughtfulness with regards to infrastructure projects, devoid of any tribal or religious sentiments, and with economic growth at the center of each of its decisions. Without this, Nigeria shall continue to hobble in its current state and fail to realize the true potential I and about 200 million Nigerians know we’re capable of.

Photo Credit : https://twitter.com/dmldavies/media