NRC MD Dr Kayode Opeifa warns staff against unauthorised sale or lease of corporation land, threatening disciplinary action for violations

Dr Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), on Thursday, 18 December 2025, issued a stern warning to staff over unauthorised sale, lease, or allocation of NRC landed properties, triggering concern across the organisation.

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The directive, issued in an internal circular referenced MDL.360/25/T/VOL.1-062, was addressed to Railway District Managers in Ebute Metta, Ibadan, and five other districts, with copies sent to key directorates including Procurement, Legal, Commercial, Human Resources, Mechanical and Engineering, Operations, and Finance.

The memo alleged that some officers had engaged in leasing, allocating, or transacting NRC properties without proper authorisation from the Office of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer.

Barely nine months ago, the Nigerian Union of Railway Workers and the Senior Staff Association of Communications Transport Cooperation accused NRC Properties Limited of unlawfully selling and converting railway assets in several states, particularly in the North.

While the property management company insisted that all transactions followed due process, the unions petitioned the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Federal Ministry of Justice, and the Kano State Government to investigate transactions spanning 17 years.

In the circular, Dr Opeifa emphasised that approval, clearance, or lease of any NRC land falls exclusively under the Managing Director.

He cautioned that no district manager is permitted to engage in any property transaction without explicit written authorisation from the NRC Managing Director to the Managing Director of the Railway Property Management Company Limited.

“You are therefore strongly warned and advised to desist forthwith from any unauthorised dealings in NRC landed properties and to strictly adhere to this directive,” the memo read.

The NRC chief warned that officers found culpable would face severe disciplinary action in line with corporation rules and Public Service Regulations.

Attempts to reach the NRC spokesperson, Callistus Unyimadu, for comment were unsuccessful.

However, two staff members, speaking anonymously, noted that some senior officers were reportedly scrambling to rectify prior transactions with illegal occupants of NRC properties.