SHAPING THE DAWN OF RAILWAY HERITAGE IN WEST AFRICA

Nigeria’s railway system has its origins in the late 19th century colonial period, and this huge country was eventually to benefit from a very extensive and strategically vital system of 3ft 6in gauge lines, supplemented by a small number of 2ft 6in gauge branches.

In parallel with the experience of many other countries, a period of considerable prosperity was followed by a relative decline as other forms of transport – mainly road and air – made major competitive inroads into the railway’s markets.

However, rail in Nigeria is currently enjoying a major renaissance under the guidance and direction of the country’s dynamic and enterprising Transportation Minister, the Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, including the construction of approximately 575 miles of new standard gauge high-speed lines (line speed 100mph) and the probable rehabilitation of the circa 1900 miles of 3ft 6in gauge routes. Interestingly, with the advent of new standard gauge lines, the 3ft 6in gauge is now referred to in Nigeria as ‘narrow gauge’.

It is this rapid modernisation and rehabilitation of Nigeria’s railway system which has set the conditions