Opeifa Unveils New Cleaning SOP as NRC Targets Safer, Cleaner Train Services

The Nigerian Railway Corporation has introduced a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for train and station cleaning nationwide, in a move aimed at improving passenger safety, comfort and service quality across its network.

The Managing Director of the corporation, Kayode Opeifa, unveiled the operational framework on Wednesday at a workshop for cleaning service providers held at the NRC headquarters in Lagos.

Opeifa said the initiative marks a significant step in repositioning the railway system, stressing that sanitation standards are now a core component of modern rail operations rather than a routine support service.

“Today marks an important milestone in our collective effort to transform the Nigerian Railway into a model train service not only in transportation but also in the quality of the environment we provide for our passengers,” he said.

The workshop, organised by the corporation’s Business Processes, Efficiency and Due Diligence (BuPED) unit, brought together cleaning contractors from across the country to align them with uniform standards and newly developed Quality Control Cleaning Codes.

Opeifa charged the service providers to adhere strictly to the new guidelines, noting that the success of railway services extends beyond punctuality to include the cleanliness and comfort experienced by passengers.

“The success of train service is not measured only by the number of trains that run on time, but also by the quality of sanitation at the stations and inside the coaches,” he added.

He stressed that maintaining clean stations and welcoming coaches is essential to sustaining public confidence in rail transport, particularly as the government intensifies efforts to expand the network nationwide.

According to him, the SOP is designed to ensure consistency, professionalism and safety in cleaning operations across all stations, with the operational manual distributed at the workshop serving as a daily guide for contractors.

“We want consistency, professionalism and safety in every aspect of our cleaning operations,” he said.

Opeifa also linked the reform to broader developments in the railway sector, urging contractors to position themselves for emerging opportunities as new rail corridors come on stream.

He cited ongoing and planned projects, including the Kano–Kaduna, Kano–Maradi, Ibadan–Osogbo–Ilorin and Enugu–Aba rail lines, describing them as part of a growing multi-billion naira ecosystem within the industry.

“Those who have contributed to its growth today will also be part of those that will manage and sustain these new corridors when they become operational,” he said.

Also speaking, the Director of BuPED, Oyekunle Oyewole, said all 24 cleaning service providers that participated in the workshop are expected to comply fully with the new standards.

He noted that future performance evaluations would be based strictly on adherence to the SOP and operational codes introduced by the corporation.

Oyewole urged contractors to take full advantage of the training, assuring them of continued support from the department to enhance efficiency and service delivery.

Industry observers say the move signals a renewed focus by the NRC on operational excellence and customer experience, as the government seeks to reposition rail transport as a viable and competitive mode of travel in Nigeria.