Lagos State has significantly expanded its long-term urban transport strategy, increasing the scope of its Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP) from six rail corridors to 11 rail lines and one monorail as it seeks to address growing mobility challenges in Africa’s largest city.
The expansion was announced on Sunday following the signing of a partnership agreement between the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) to establish a modern Railway Training Centre aimed at developing the skilled workforce required to operate and maintain the state’s expanding rail infrastructure.
LAMATA Managing Director, Engr. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, said the revised master plan reflects Lagos’ rapidly growing population, increasing commuter demand and the government’s long-term ambition of building an integrated, multi-modal transportation system.
According to her, the enlarged network requires a sustainable pipeline of certified professionals with expertise in railway signalling, maintenance, operations, customer service and other specialised technical areas.
“We have five more rail lines that have been added to our Strategic Transport Master Plan, bringing the total to 11 rail lines and one monorail,” Akinajo said, adding that investment in human capital is essential to ensure the long-term success of the network.
She noted that the state aims to ensure that Nigerians increasingly operate and maintain the infrastructure, reducing dependence on foreign technical expertise while creating employment opportunities and supporting economic growth.
The initiative builds on existing capacity development efforts. LAMATA said more than 400 personnel, including train operators, engineers, maintenance workers and customer service staff, have already been trained since commercial operations began on the Blue and Red rail lines. The Blue Line currently operates with more than 90% local staffing, while only a limited number of highly specialised positions remain supported by foreign experts.
CCECC Vice President, Mr. Sun Xiangchun, described the proposed Railway Training Centre as a strategic investment that would combine classroom instruction, simulation-based learning, practical field training and professional certification to prepare workers for the expanding rail system.
The state’s rail development programme continues to gather momentum. The Blue Line currently operates between Marina and Mile 2, while construction is progressing on its second phase extending the corridor to Okokomaiko. The Red Line connects Agbado to Oyingbo, with plans to extend services to the National Theatre to create seamless integration with the Blue Line.
Future corridors under the expanded master plan include the 68-kilometre Green Line linking Marina to the Lekki Free Trade Zone, the 85.7-kilometre Purple Line connecting Redemption Camp to Ojo, as well as the Orange and Yellow Lines. Lagos is also exploring extending the Red Line into neighbouring Ogun State to improve regional connectivity and support commuter movement across state boundaries.
Originally developed in 2002 and revised in 2014, the Strategic Transport Master Plan envisioned six rail lines, one monorail, 14 Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridors and more than 20 water transport routes. The latest expansion represents one of the state’s most ambitious transport investments to date and underscores Lagos’ commitment to building one of Africa’s largest integrated urban rail networks while improving mobility, reducing road congestion and supporting long-term economic growth.
