The first railway in Nigeria was opened in 1898 between Lagos and Abeokuta, a distance of 96km. In common with the railways of other British colonies in Africa, the chosen gauge was 3ft 6in (1067mm), and this gauge was used for subsequent expansion.
The present day network extends to some 3500km of route and reaches many parts of the country, although given the huge land area coverage is sparse. In the early part of the 21st century lines were very run down and underutilized. Rehabilitation of existing lines and construction of new ones has since taken place, and is ongoing.
In 1991 new 277km standard (1435mm) gauge line opened to connect iron ore workings in the Itakpe area with steel works at Ajaokuta. The line was extended a further 275km to the coastal port of Warri in 2013. Passenger traffic on the line commenced in 2019.
In 2012, construction began on a new 181km standard gauge line from Lagos to Ibadan. Various delays to its completion have occurred and opening is not expected before mid 2019.
In 2014, a new 186km standard gauge line from Abuja to Kaduna was completed. Freight services commenced the following year, passenger services from May, 2016.
Also in 2014, a contract was signed for the construction of a new standard gauge railway serving the coastal area between Lagos and Calabar.
In 2015, a contract was signed for the construction of a 334km commuter rail network in Ogun state, north of Lagos. The first line would run from Abeokuta to Ijebu Ode.
In 2017, funding was approved for a new 305km standard gauge line from Kaduna to Kano; plans were announced for a new 275km line linking the steel works at Ajaokuta with the Agbaja Iron Ore Project in Kogi State.



In 2018, a proposal emerged for a new 248km standard gauge line from Kano to Maradi, Niger.
#HISTORYISOURPRIDE