As Nigeria’s railway system grapples with unacceptable levels of vandalisation, derailments, operational breakdowns and passenger apprehensions, the People’s Republic of China has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the country with modern intelligence-driven rail control technology.
This renewed commitment came during the closing ceremony of the 2025 International Seminar on Rail Transit Intelligence Control System, held between November 20 and December 4 in Beijing and Suzhou.
China Railway Signal and Communication International Co. Ltd (CRSCI), one of the world’s foremost railway intelligence and signalling technology providers, announced that it will maintain “an open, collaborative and mutually beneficial partnership with Nigeria”, while accelerating efforts to establish a Joint Intelligent Control Research Centre in the country by 2026.
The project is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to deploy automated, predictive and secure rail operational systems.
The announcement comes at a defining moment for Nigeria: a period marked by rising insecurity along rail corridors, theft of critical assets, and recurring train failures that undermine public confidence in modern rail travel—one of the Federal Government’s flagship infrastructure revitalisation initiatives.
A Partnership Anchored on Technology Transfer
Addressing participants at the closing ceremony, Mr. Yin Yungong, Deputy General Manager of CRSCI, said the Nigerian delegation—comprising officials from the Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMoT), the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and the Federal University of Transportation, Daura (FUTD)—had successfully completed an intensive programme designed to equip them with advanced knowledge of China’s rapidly evolving rail intelligence ecosystem.
“Through this programme, I believe you have gained an understanding of China’s rail transit technology system. It has been about practice, deepening your understanding of technical details and enhancing your skills through hands-on experience,” Yin said.
He assured participants that CRSCI would continue to provide technical backstopping whenever required.
“Should you encounter any technical challenge, please do not hesitate to contact CRSCI. We promise to be your strong backbone, providing full assistance in resolving challenges and jointly promoting the development of rail transit in Nigeria,” he added.
The partnership is expected to provide Nigeria with the architecture needed to automate train operations, improve safety systems and deploy real-time diagnostics—a critical requirement for a system currently plagued by multiple operational threats.
A New Intelligent Research Centre for Nigeria
In August 2025, CRSCI, FMoT and FUTD signed a tripartite agreement to deepen cooperation in railway intelligence control systems.
As part of that framework, Yin confirmed that China will establish a Joint Intelligent Control Research Centre in Nigeria by 2026.
The Research Centre is expected to:
Train Nigerian engineers and technicians in advanced signalling and control systems.
Develop indigenous expertise to reduce dependence on foreign contractors.
Support ongoing projects, including the Abuja–Kaduna Railway Upgrade, security surveillance systems, and predictive maintenance frameworks.
Serve as a hub for innovation in low-altitude security technologies aimed at preventing vandalisation and terrorist infiltration along rail corridors.
China’s long-standing involvement in Nigeria’s rail development—ranging from construction financing to rolling stock delivery and welding technical training—positions the initiative as a strategic extension of an already deep partnership.
A System Under Threat: The Rising Toll of Vandalisation and Attacks
Beyond the technical agreements, the seminar arrives at a moment of heightened concern within Nigeria’s rail sector.
Over the past five years, the country has witnessed an alarming spike in vandalisation, increasingly frequent train derailments, and a troubling number of attacks on passengers, particularly along the Abuja–Kaduna and Warri–Itakpe corridors.
Vandalisation of Rail Infrastructure
Critical rail assets—clips, sleepers, signaling cables, overhead power lines and track bolts—are being stolen at unprecedented rates.
Such thefts often lead to dangerous track distortions, weakened joints and signalling failures, many of which contribute directly to derailments.
In numerous instances, vandals have carted away equipment installed only months earlier, sabotaging operations and forcing costly repairs by the NRC.
Attacks on Trains and Passengers
Nigeria’s rail security challenges took a deadly turn in March 2022 with the bombing of the Abuja–Kaduna train, an incident that shook national confidence.
While security improvements have since been introduced, sporadic attacks and attempted intrusions persist.
Communities near rail corridors have repeatedly reported: Hoodlums throwing objects at moving trains attempts to obstruct tracks, armed robbery incidents in isolated stations, youths extorting passengers during breakdowns
Derailments and Technical Failures
Train derailments have occurred across the network—from Lagos to Kano, Warri to Itakpe—often linked to: poorly maintained tracks, vandalised rails, signaling failures, mechanical faults, obsolete locomotives and weak maintenance culture
These incidents have raised questions about Nigeria’s capacity to sustain its expanding rail network, especially as passenger numbers increase and freight services seek revival.
Incessant Breakdowns and Delays
Passengers frequently complain of: Long delays due to locomotive failure, lack of spare parts, power failures in coaches, air-conditioning malfunctions, communication breakdowns between stations and drivers such issues, analysts argue, underscore the need for advanced intelligence-based operations—systems capable of detecting faults before they occur, enabling automated responses, remote monitoring, and secure control operations.
Why China’s Support Matters Now
The 2025 seminar, and China’s renewed commitment, align with Nigeria’s urgent need to: modernise its signalling and train control systems, strengthen security surveillance across tracks, deploy predictive maintenance technologies,shrink response time to emergencies,train a new cadre of railway intelligence experts, build a domestic ecosystem for research, manufacturing and repairs
An intelligent control research centre could provide the backbone for such transformation, reducing Nigeria’s dependence on reactive repairs and manual operations.
Experts believe this will also reduce derailments, improve punctuality, enhance passenger safety and cut long-term operational costs.
Nigeria Responds: ‘This Is a Milestone in a Strategic Partnership’ During the ceremony, Prof. Umar Adam Katsayal, mni, Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Transportation, Daura, expressed gratitude to CRSCI for what he described as “a richly immersive programme.”
“We thank you for providing us with the conducive environment and materials for the seminar. We will leave China with so much knowledge and a strong desire to apply it in our institutions and workplaces back home,” he said.
Discover more
Daily
Newspapers
Newspaper
Representing the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mrs. Afolabi Olufisayo Mercy commended the organisers on behalf of the Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali.
According to her, the programme has equipped Nigerian scholars, technicians, engineers and operators with the core competencies required to design, implement and sustain modern railway signalling and operational systems.
“This closing marks a milestone in a broader, strategic partnership that extends beyond technology transfer to trust, shared standards and a common goal—safe, reliable and sustainable rail transport for Nigeria,” she said.
She emphasised that the Ministry intends to prioritise: Adaptive modular signalling standards, Interoperability across lines, Local capacity development, improved maintenance culture, Sustained international cooperation
Research-driven operational excellence
Can Intelligence Systems Solve Nigeria’s Rail Crisis?
Analysts believe that while technology cannot by itself solve Nigeria’s deep-rooted security and maintenance problems, intelligent systems can reduce vulnerabilities and improve accountability.
Intelligence Control Systems Could Help Nigeria by: monitoring tracks 24/7 via sensors, cameras and drones, detecting rail tampering in real-time, predicting mechanical failures before they escalate, coordinating emergency responses faster, reducing human error
Integrating communications across stations, security agencies and control rooms
Enhancing night-time visibility and accident prevention
These capabilities, combined with stronger security collaboration and community engagement, could significantly reduce vandalism and operational disruptions.
Looking Ahead: 2026 and Beyond
As Nigeria prepares to host the new Joint Intelligent Control Research Centre in 2026, expectations are high among industry stakeholders.
The successful implementation of the centre—and the follow-up projects such as the Abuja–Kaduna upgrade and the proposed low-altitude security system—could mark a turning point for a sector long burdened by systemic weaknesses.
Beyond technology, the Nigeria–China collaboration is poised to reshape: local training and certification, research and innovation, maintenance culture, technical independence, operational excellence
For a country striving to reduce its dependence on road transport, unlock economic corridors, and restore public trust in rail travel, the partnership could not be more timely.
China’s reaffirmed openness and technical support come at a critical juncture for Nigeria’s railway industry—a sector confronting rising vandalisation, recurring derailments, rampant cable theft, locomotive failures and security threats that endanger lives and infrastructure investments.
While the challenges remain significant, the 2025 International Seminar and the forthcoming Intelligent Control Research Centre signal a shift toward a more resilient, technology-driven future.
If sustained, the partnership could lay the foundation for a safer, smarter and more reliable railway system— one capable of weathering Nigeria’s evolving operational and security challenges.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT
