Lagos’s transportation landscape is set for a transformative shift with the Red Line’s imminent launch. ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE reports that this major project, alongside other key initiatives, promises to ease congestion and revolutionise commuting in Nigeria’s economic capital
The long-awaited moment has arrived. The Lagos Red Line train is on the brink of revolutionising urban transit, and soon, everybody will have the chance to experience it first-hand. Last Wednesday, the air was thick with anticipation as Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi, alongside high-ranking officials, embarked on a historic journey marking the prelude to commercial operations later this month. This trial ride, a prelude to what promises to be a transformative mass transit link between bustling Lagos and the tranquil Agbado in Ogun State, set the stage for a new era of connectivity.
At precisely 2 p.m., Osiyemi and his team entered the vibrant heart of Platform 1 & 2 at the Ikeja Mega Train Station. The trial run of the Agbado to Oyingbo segment—a key part of the ambitious 37-kilometer corridor—was about to begin. This corridor, when completed, will stretch from Agbado to Marina, weaving through the economic and commercial hub of Lagos Island. The project, a testament to modern engineering, was brought to life by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) Nigeria in collaboration with the Lagos State Government.
Upon arrival, Osiyemi was greeted by Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) Managing Director Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo and other senior officials. Since its inception in 2003, LAMATA has been at the forefront of reshaping Lagos’s transport landscape, continually refining its intermodal masterplan to address the challenges of Africa’s most populous megacity. The launch of the Red Line signifies not just a new transit alternative but a monumental leap towards easing the city’s congestion and connecting its sprawling neighbourhoods with unprecedented efficiency.
LAMATA’s ambitious initiatives have elevated Lagos to new heights among its peers, blending road and BRT reforms with the introduction of two state-of-the-art metro systems. One of these is an electric train system designed to offer commuters viable travel alternatives and alleviate the severe traffic congestion that, according to the Danne Institute for Research in 2023, costs Lagos a staggering N4 trillion annually.
The construction of the second metro line, the Red Line, commenced in October 2021. This initiative was part of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s strategic use of Federal Government COVID-19 relief funds to address long-standing rail infrastructure challenges. While the Blue Line had languished due to inadequate funding, the Red Line, which had previously seemed destined to remain a mere blueprint, began to take shape. Support from the Central Bank and six commercial banks significantly accelerated the Red Line’s progress, mirroring the development of the Blue Line. Remarkably, the Red Line, sharing a corridor with the national rail network, was completed in just three years—a stark contrast to the 16-year timeline of the Blue Line.
The Red Line features eight stations—Oyingbo, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege, Iju, and Agbado—designed to handle passenger traffic independently of the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s stations. It also includes six overpasses located at key points—Oyingbo, Yaba, Ikeja, Agege, and Mushin—to minimise vehicular interference. The final overpass was commissioned on August 17 of this year, paving the way for the Red Line’s full commercial launch. The Red Line corridor also includes pedestrian crossings to manage foot traffic and is undergoing a crucial upgrade from wire-mesh fencing to robust concrete walls to prevent accidents. In July, at a public forum at the Lagos State University (LASU), Fidet Okhiria, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), announced the completion of inspections for all rolling and fixed assets of the Red Line. He indicated that the NRC would soon issue a safety certificate, paving the way for the state government to commence commercial operations.
LAMATA’s Director of Rail Services, Engr. Olasunkanmi Okusaga, recently revealed that commercial operations are slated to begin in September. He outlined the forthcoming phases: a six-week non-passenger test of the rolling stock, followed by a trial period with select non-fare-paying passengers to gather public feedback, leading up to the official launch. Okusaga’s announcement quelled growing scepticism, especially following criticism directed at the Sanwo-Olu administration for its delay in launching the project. The Red and Blue Lines have captured President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s attention, who, during the Red Line’s inauguration, celebrated it as a testament to the benefits of progressive democracy that Lagos continues to enjoy.
Overview of the Red Line
The Red Line is a major 37-kilometer rail corridor that will connect Agbado to Marina, promising to significantly enhance Lagos’s transit infrastructure. Initially, the line will operate from Agbado to Oyingbo, utilising the existing tracks of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) from Agbado to Ebute Metta Junction (EBJ) at Alagomeji. Beyond Ebute Metta, the Red Line will cross the Lagoon to reach Marina, integrating seamlessly with the Blue Line Station. This integration will also accommodate the future Green Line, which will extend from Marina to the Lekki area.
Using the International Standard Gauge (ISG) of 1435mm, the Red Line is expected to accommodate approximately 750,000 passengers daily when it begins operations, with the capacity anticipated to rise to 1.1 million passengers once fully operational. The Red Line stands as the second flagship project of the Sanwo-Olu administration and is a key element of the THEMES+ agenda, which places a strong emphasis on improving transportation and managing traffic congestion as primary pillars of its development strategy. The project is planned in three phases: The first phase of the Red Line will extend from Oyingbo to Agbado, sharing the NRC’s standard gauge tracks from Ebute Metta to Agbado, covering a distance of 26.3 kilometers. This phase will feature stations at Oyingbo, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege, Iju, and Agbado. To address level crossing challenges, the government has constructed five overpasses and three pedestrian bridges at strategic locations, including Oyingbo, Yaba, Mushin, and Ikeja.
The second phase will extend the rail system from Oyingbo to Marina, incorporating elevated rail infrastructure across the Lagoon, a design approach similar to that used for the Blue Line from Iganmu. This phase will introduce three additional stations at Iddo, Ebute-Ero, and Marina. The third phase will focus on establishing an independent rail system from Oyingbo to Marina, enhancing the overall connectivity and capacity of the Red Line. The Red Line project is poised to be a transformative addition to Lagos’s transportation network, reflecting the administration’s dedication to improving transit infrastructure and reducing traffic congestion.
The segment of the Red Line from Oyingbo to Agbado, inaugurated by President Tinubu, is situated in densely populated areas, where the construction posed significant challenges. The development process involved extensive stakeholder engagement to secure the necessary right-of-way for the mass transit train, impacting numerous households and businesses along the corridor.
To address potential environmental and social impacts, LAMATA undertook comprehensive measures. They prepared an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), both of which received certification from the Federal Ministry of Environment. Additionally, LAMATA implemented an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) to manage the effects of civil works, including the construction of rail tracks, stations, overpasses, and pedestrian bridges. In a bid to mitigate the impact on affected communities, over 5,000 individuals and businesses received compensation, underscoring LAMATA’s commitment to balancing infrastructure development with social responsibility.
The 27-kilometer stretch from Oyingbo to Agbado of the Red Line shares tracks with the Federal Government’s NRC Lagos-Ibadan Railway Modernisation project, which includes two stations: one at Alagomeji in the Ebute-Metta area and another at Agege. In contrast, the Red Line boasts a full complement of eight stations. While seven of these stations feature complete infrastructure, Oshodi is integrated into the Oshodi Transport Interchange, providing seamless connectivity. Additionally, the Red Line infrastructure includes two stabling yards located at Ebute-Metta and Agbado. An independent rail track system from EBJ to Iddo (Otto) has also been completed for stabling purposes.
To kick start operations, the Lagos State Government has procured two sets of Talgo trains from Milwaukee, USA, specifically for the Red Line. During a recent visit to China, the governor placed an order for six additional train sets, which will be split equally between the Blue Line and the Red Line, comprising both electric and diesel locomotives. This significant investment in rolling stock underscores the commitment to delivering efficient and modern transit solutions for Lagos.
The Danne Institute for Research, along with other prominent organisations, has long been intrigued by Lagos—a city that, despite the broader economic instability in Nigeria, ranks as Africa’s fifth-largest economy. Their reports highlight a significant challenge: the average worker in Lagos loses 2.24 hours daily to commuting, underscoring the city’s struggle with a transportation system heavily reliant on a disorganised road network dominated by the unregulated private sector.
However, this perspective may not fully capture the evolving dynamics of Lagos’s transportation landscape. Despite the criticisms, LAMATA (Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority) has been actively enhancing the city’s transit infrastructure. Through strategic investments and the introduction of government-regulated public transportation options, LAMATA is working to improve mobility and provide viable alternatives to the congested and inefficient road system. This ongoing transformation reflects a concerted effort to address the city’s transportation woes and elevate its status on the regional transit stage.
Prof. Iyiola Oni, Head of the Centre for Inter-Modal Transportation at the University of Lagos, has praised LAMATA for its diverse transportation initiatives. He highlighted the agency’s introduction of Non-Motorised Transportation (NMT), First and Last Mile small to medium buses, larger Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems, and the development of dedicated transport corridors. These efforts, alongside junction improvements and road expansion projects, represent a comprehensive strategy to tackle Lagos’s congestion issues.
Similarly, Prof. Samuel Odewunmi, former Dean of the School of Transportation and Logistics at Lagos State University, anticipates that the upcoming second metro line, set to commence commercial operations later this month, will offer significant relief to commuters. With a projected daily capacity of over a million passengers, this new line is expected to further diversify transit options. Odewunmi, a noted expert in transport policy, commends Lagos State for its pioneering approach and innovative solutions in integrated and inter-modal transportation, setting a benchmark for other regions to emulate.
Prof. Oni commended the state government for its remarkable achievement with the electric train, which has operated smoothly since its commercial launch in September of last year. He noted that, just last month, the service had expanded its shuttle frequency from 54 to 72 trips per day, maintaining an impressive record of uninterrupted operations. Transport expert Patrick Adenusi also weighed in, emphasising that the Red Line will significantly enhance Lagos’s ability to combat its severe traffic congestion. Adenusi highlighted that this new rail line will not only ease intra-city travel but also positively impact the housing market. By improving connectivity between Lagos and its neighbouring communities, the Red Line is expected to alleviate rent pressures in the city, as commuters will benefit from a more efficient transit system that simplifies their daily commutes.
