By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
The Senate has launched a full-scale investigation into Nigeria’s railway system, focusing on projects executed under former President Muhammadu Buhari, following repeated derailments and mechanical failures on the Itakpe–Warri rail corridor.
The probe, which will include a public hearing, seeks to uncover the root causes of the recurring derailments, assess the condition of rail infrastructure, and review materials imported for the projects.
An ad hoc committee chaired by Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) was set up to lead the investigation, with a mandate to complete its findings within six weeks and submit a detailed report to the Senate.
Other members of the committee include Senators Huseini Babaginda, Adamu Aliero, Wasiu Eshinlokun, Osita Ngwu, Adeola Solomon, Ibrahim Dankwabo, Ireti Kingibe, and Sahabi Yau.
The Senate also directed the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to fix the technical faults causing frequent derailments and restore full operational capacity nationwide.
The resolution followed a motion by Senator Ede Dafinone (APC, Delta Central), who cited a series of technical failures and derailments on the Ujevwu–Itakpe rail line barely days after it resumed operations in October 2025.
Senator Dafinone warned that the persistent breakdowns and acts of vandalism point to weak supervision, poor maintenance culture, and safety lapses within the NRC. He listed multiple derailments and service disruptions recorded between 2023 and 2025 across Delta, Edo, and Kogi states.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the session, said the probe was imperative, questioning why rail systems begin to fail barely a year after commissioning.
“The same characters that built the rails are now trying to take over government by revolution. It is like Air Nigeria—after all the fanfare, everything fizzles out. We must find out what went wrong and ensure accountability,” Akpabio said.
He added that the investigation was not partisan but a necessary step to protect public funds, safeguard lives, and restore confidence in national infrastructure.
Supporting the motion, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) described the situation as a national embarrassment, insisting that those responsible for the substandard projects must be held accountable.
Senator Patrick Ndubueze (APC, Imo North) called for a total overhaul of the NRC, while Senator Olamilekan Adeola (APC, Ogun West) demanded full disclosure of how much was borrowed and spent on the rail projects.
Senator Babangida Hussaini (APC, Jigawa North-West) blamed the failures on poor project conception and weak maintenance culture, stressing that inefficiency in the rail sector has also worsened Nigeria’s road conditions as cargo traffic shifts to highways.