A recent family trip from Lagos to Enugu for a wedding brought into sharp focus one of the challenges facing Nigerians who travel long distances by road: the lack of a direct and reliable rail connection between the two major cities.
The journey was prompted by a wedding between Vanessa Chimuanya and Raymond Kosisochukwu in Enugu. With a family of six needing to make the trip, several transportation options were considered, including air travel, hiring a bus and driving the family’s SUV.
Flying appeared to be the most convenient option, but at about N120,000 per ticket, travelling by air for six people and returning to Lagos would have cost roughly N1.44 million. Hiring a Sienna bus offered a cheaper alternative, estimated at about N720,000 for the return journey.
The family vehicle presented another option, although it required substantial preparation. New tyres alone were expected to cost about N480,000, while the suspension, wheels and engine would also need to be serviced before embarking on the long journey.
The road trip itself was another concern. Travellers frequently report spending between 12 and 18 hours on the Lagos-Enugu route, depending on traffic, road conditions and other delays. In particularly difficult circumstances, the journey can stretch well into the following day.
The experience of other travellers reinforced those concerns. A family member who reportedly left Edo State in the afternoon in June ended up spending the night around Sagamu before eventually reaching Lagos the following morning.
As the wedding approached, the family was also warned about several traffic bottlenecks between Sagamu and Benin City, with possible delays of several hours. The Benin bypass was another source of concern.
After considering the alternatives, the family eventually decided to prepare the SUV for the journey. However, the discussion about the difficulties of travelling by road led to a more fundamental question: why is there no convenient direct train service connecting Lagos and Enugu?
A Missing Rail Option
A direct Lagos-Enugu railway could provide Nigerians with another affordable and comfortable means of travelling between the two cities. Rail transport can move large numbers of passengers at once while reducing the stress associated with long-distance road journeys.
The Lagos-Enugu distance is estimated at roughly 454 kilometres. A modern standard-gauge railway, with appropriate stops and operating speeds, could potentially make the journey significantly faster and more predictable than travelling by road.
Existing rail services demonstrate what is possible. The standard-gauge Abuja-Kaduna route, for instance, covers about 186 kilometres and can be completed in roughly two to two-and-a-half hours.
A broader rail network connecting Lagos with Enugu and eventually Abuja could therefore become an important piece of Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure. Such a corridor could pass through several states, creating opportunities for movement of passengers and goods while linking major commercial centres.
Could Government and Private Investors Build It?
Developing such infrastructure would require enormous capital. Using an estimated construction cost of about $4 million per kilometre, a 454-kilometre Lagos-Enugu rail line could require approximately $1.8 billion.
Although the figure is substantial, a project of this scale could potentially be developed through a combination of federal and state government participation and private-sector investment.
States along the proposed corridor could also have an interest in such a project because improved rail connectivity would support commerce, tourism, employment and easier movement between regions.
A properly structured public-private partnership could provide a framework for financing and operating the railway while spreading the investment burden among participating governments and private investors.
More Than Just a Train Ride
The argument for a Lagos-Enugu railway goes beyond making one family’s journey easier. Reliable intercity rail could reduce pressure on Nigeria’s highways, provide travellers with another alternative to expensive air tickets and improve the movement of people and businesses.
For families travelling to weddings, funerals and other important events, students moving between regions and businesses transporting workers and goods, a dependable rail network could make long-distance travel considerably less stressful.
For now, the journey to Enugu remains a road adventure for many travellers. But the experience also raises a bigger question about the kind of transportation network Nigeria should build for the future.
A modern Lagos-Enugu rail connection would not only shorten journeys; it could also strengthen economic links between the South-West and South-East and contribute to a more connected Nigeria.
The family eventually made the trip to Enugu by SUV and successfully attended the wedding ceremony. The celebration brought relatives and friends together, but the journey itself left behind a bigger reflection: Nigeria needs more reliable ways to move its people.
A direct Lagos-Enugu railway could be one of those solutions.