Nigeria’s Troubled Tracks: Why Train Derailments Keep Happening

One of the derailed coaches at the background with passengers standing by

On Tuesday morning, panic gripped passengers on a Kaduna-bound train when it suddenly derailed near Asham, a few kilometers from Abuja. The train, which departed Kubwa station at 9:45 a.m., came to an abrupt halt around kilometre 49, throwing travellers into confusion.

For many onboard, it was a terrifying reminder that Nigeria’s rail system, once touted as a safer and more reliable alternative to highways, has become increasingly prone to mishaps.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) swiftly confirmed the derailment in a statement signed by its Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa. He explained that emergency rescue teams, medical personnel, and security operatives had been mobilised to the scene, and arrangements made to return stranded passengers to Abuja.

“Full complement of security already on ground as the effort is ongoing to move all passengers on the train back to Abuja safely,” he assured.

Though no lives were lost in the incident, the derailment has once again raised pressing questions about rail safety in Nigeria — and whether the country is truly ready for the modern railway system it has been promising citizens.

A Pattern of Accidents

The Asham derailment is only the latest in a troubling series of railway accidents. In March 2022, the same Abuja-Kaduna line suffered its most infamous tragedy when armed men bombed the track, killed passengers, and kidnapped scores of others. Since then, derailments and breakdowns have become recurrent, with similar incidents reported in Ibadan, Lagos, and Warri-Itakpe corridors.

Transportation analysts point to several underlying factors. Aging tracks, substandard maintenance, and inadequate signaling systems have been repeatedly highlighted as weak points. Some locomotives are decades old, operating on infrastructure that has not been comprehensively overhauled in years.

“Rail expansion has been faster than rail safety,” one industry expert told this paper. “Billions have been spent on new locomotives and routes, but the fundamentals — track maintenance, safety audits, staff training — have not been given equal attention.”

The Promise vs. The Reality

In the past decade, successive governments have positioned the railway as a flagship of Nigeria’s transport renaissance. The Abuja-Kaduna line, inaugurated in 2016, was hailed as a model of modern transport. For many travellers, it offered an escape from the Kaduna-Abuja highway, notorious for kidnappings and violent attacks.

But with derailments and security scares piling up, confidence in the rail option is eroding. Passengers now recount journeys filled with anxiety, often wondering if they will reach their destination without incident.

“It was supposed to be our safe corridor,” said one frequent traveller after Tuesday’s incident. “Now, each trip feels like a gamble.”

The Human Cost

Beyond infrastructure, derailments come with a human toll. Even when fatalities are avoided, the trauma of sudden accidents lingers. Passengers often sustain injuries, lose belongings, or endure long hours stranded in isolated areas with little communication.

For staff, too, the repeated crises are demoralising. Railway workers, many of whom have dedicated decades to the corporation, now face increased risks and public criticism whenever accidents occur.

What Needs to Change

Experts insist that Nigeria’s railway crisis is not unsolvable. They point to global best practices that could drastically reduce derailments and restore public trust. Among the top recommendations are:

Comprehensive Safety Audits: Independent assessments of all tracks, bridges, and rolling stock to identify weaknesses.

Predictive Maintenance: Use of digital sensors and monitoring systems to detect track wear and equipment faults before accidents happen.

Modern Signalling & Communication: Upgrading to automated signaling systems to prevent collisions and derailments.

Regular Staff Training: Ensuring engineers, conductors, and technical staff are equipped with modern safety skills.

Transparent Investigations: Publishing accident reports promptly to rebuild public confidence.

A Turning Point?

For the NRC, the Asham derailment is yet another test of its ability to respond, reassure, and reform. Dr. Opeifa’s swift communication and mobilisation of emergency teams were commendable, but observers say the corporation must move beyond damage control to long-term safety reforms.

As Nigeria eyes further railway expansion — including the Lagos-Calabar coastal line and extensions of the Kaduna-Kano and Port Harcourt-Maiduguri routes — the stakes have never been higher.

Without urgent reforms, analysts warn that derailments could become the tragic norm, undermining billions in investments and putting lives at continued risk.

Finally

Rail transport remains one of the most efficient, affordable, and environmentally friendly modes of travel. For a country like Nigeria, it is not just an option but a necessity to connect its vast geography.

Yet, until safety is placed at the heart of the railway revival, passengers will continue to board trains with uncertainty in their hearts. The Asham derailment may not have claimed lives, but it has added to a growing chorus of public concern.

The real question now is whether Nigeria will seize this moment to fix its tracks — or allow history to keep repeating itself.