Full List of Railway Stations in Nigeria (2024)

In this post, we will take a view into the Nigerian railway system and outline the various railway stations available in the country this 2024.

The Nigerian railways is one of the major transport system that links major cities in the country and also help to convey goods to and fro in the country. This medium started far back late in the 1800s and was initially initiated by the colonialist, Great Britain. 

At present, railways in the country has taken a new dimension by being augmented from the old classification to the modem standards. The expansion of the rail lines is also made in the country as the system now links many States and towns together for transport enhancement and expediency. The Western Line which connects Lagos on the Bight of Benin to Nguru in the northern state of Yobe is the span of the rail network in Nigeria.

Others are; the Eastern Line connecting Port Harcourt in the Niger Delta to far in the North, Maiduguri in the northeastern state of Borno, on the country’s border. Also, there are linking line which connects Kaduna on the Western Line to Kafanchan on the Eastern Line which includes stations like:Ifaw–Ilaro, Minna –Baro, Zaria–Kaura Namoda, Kuru–Jos, among others.

History of Railways in Nigeria 

The inception if rail in the country started far back when the main railroad in Nigeria was opened in 1898. This railway was quite small in Lagos linking to Abeokuta and having a separation of just 96km. Just the same as the railroads of other British colony in Africa, they picked a gauge of 3ft 6in (1067mm), and this measure was utilized for consequent extension of the railway system in the country. 

As at today an organization of networks have been stretched out to some 3500km of course and links to numerous places, cities and to other nation, given that the tremendous land zone inclusion is meager. Early into the 21st century, lines were extremely run down uniformly from the north of the country to the southern cities. Recovery of existing lines and development of new ones has since occurred, and is progressing, thereby creating a reliable transport system.

A new standard measure line about 1435mm was opened in 1991 to associate steel and iron mineral operations in the Itakpe territory with steel works at Ajaokuta. The line was stretched out to Warri in 2013, an all out separation distance of 327km. Traveler traffic on the line was initiated in 2019. 

In 2012, development started on another 181km standard check line from Lagos to Ibadan. Different deferrals to its fruition have happened and the beginning of the rail was not commenced before mid in the year 2019. 

Another 186km standard measure line from Abuja to Kaduna was finished in 2014. Cargo administrations started the next year, and from December, 2016  traveler administrations commenced.

Likewise in 2014, an agreement was finished and paperwork documented for the development of another standard check railroad serving the beach front region in the coastal cities of Lagos and Calabar. 

Also in 2015, an agreement was made for the development of a 334km worker railway in Ogun state also including the north of Lagos. The principal line would run from Abeokuta to Ijebu Ode covering the two states.

A subsidizing program was endorsed in the year 2017 for another 305km standard measure line from Kaduna to Kano; plans were reported for another 275km line connecting the steel works at Ajaokuta with the Agbaja Iron Ore Project in Kogi State. Also, a proposition rose for another 248km standard check line from Kano to Maradi, Niger. This plan was proposed in 2018 to diversify the already rail network in these States.

Recently, in the year 2019, an agreement was made and paperwork signed for another 200km standard measure railroad from Abuja connecting with the current line to Warri at Itakpe. The task likewise incorporates a 50km branch to Lokoja and augmentation from the current end at Warri to the port.

Comprehensive List of Railway Stations in Nigeria

1. Apapa rail terminals
2. Lagos terminus station
3. Yaba – Lagos suburban station
4. Oshodi – Lagos suburban railway station
5. Ikeja – Lagos suburban railway station
6. Agege – Lagos suburban station
7. Agbado – Lagos station
8. Ijoko – terminus
9. Abeokuta station
10. Agege  junction
11. Ibadan rail station
12. Oshogbo rail
13. Ilorin station
14. Zungeru bridge station
15. Minna  station for Baro
16. Kaduna junction for East Line
17. Zaria station 
18. Namoda station
19. Kano terminal
20. Nguru terminus near Niger border
21. Zaria junction
22. Funtua station
23. Gusau terminal
24. Kaura Namoda branch terminus
25. Enugu rail station
26. Idogo branch terminus
27. Baro branch terminus on river Niger
28. Ikeja station 
29. Abuja new rail line station
30. Idon railway station
31. Kafanchan station
32. Agbaja Iron ore station
33. Itakpe  iron ore station
34. Ajaokuta railway station
35. Port Harcourt Onne station
36. Aba rail station
37. Makurdi terminal
38. Bauchi terminus
39. Oshogbo station
40. Uyo proposed railway station
41. Proposed Yenagoa station
42. Jebba main station

Other standard railway stations that are projected to commence soon are; Lagos-Benin City (300km), Benin-Abakiliki (500km), Benin Obudu Cattle Ranch (673km), Lagos-Abuja high-speed (615km), Zaria-Birnin Koni (520km), Ega nyi-Otukpo (533km) and Ega nyi-Abuja. Other projects scheduled are the Port Harcourt-Maiduguri line (1,657km), Ogoja-Maiduguri, Kano-Gamboru Ngala, Kano-Jibia, and Ilela-Minna rail lines.

The Milestone Railway Projects in Nigeria 

After knowing the railway stations in the country, let’s look at the intriguing railway projects in the country.

First, In 2018, a light rail travel transportation system opened in Abuja in 2018. Comparable rails with this are under development or proposed in different urban areas. Various monorail frameworks have been proposed yet just that at Calabar has all the earmarks of being advancing right now. 

Another significant project in the rail system in Nigeria is the Abuja-Kaduna line works with quick traveler and freight trains. This world class project is sponsored by Federal Ministry of Works and made actualised to reality by China Civil and Engineering Construction Company (CCECC).

The track laying service for the Abuja-Kaduna line occurred in March 2013. The 186km-long Abuja-Kaduna rail line highlights single standard gauge tracks with a class statutes inclusive.

The Abuja-Kaduna rail venture is a piece of Nigeria’s nation wide rail modernisation program and one of the primary standard check railroad modernisation ventures (SGRMP) attempted in Nigeria to service its much crowded populace with expediency. The standard check line associates the nation’s capital city of Abuja with its business capital Kaduna, empowering quicker development of products and individuals between the two urban areas. 

The development of the Abuja-Kaduna rail line began in March 2011 and was finished in March 2014 with help from China in many ways. Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari initiated the rail line for business benefits when the commissioning was done in March 2016. 

Conclusively, the railway system has been for the good in the country, and it essentially influence the employment growth. One of such is the Abuja–Kaduna rail line which have utilized roughly 4,000 individuals and is relied upon to make in excess of 5,000 extra employments during full commencement of operations.

But the abysmal effect of railway system in Nigeria has been for ill management, pollution of environment and out of standard rail lines and aberated stations.