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By Fidelis Ugbomeh
In line with global best practices, Management of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) recently joined global community to mark “World Day for Safety and Health”, at working environments, highlighting sustainable healthy workforce and safety of passengers as key to smooth operation of trains.
The present management of NRC led by Dr. Kayode Opeifa seized opportunity of the celebration to shed more light on commitment to improving staff welfare, workplace, and passengers safety.
He described the importance of this year’s theme, “Good psychosocial working environments: A pathway to thriving workers and strong organizations,” as both timely and deeply relevant to the corporation’s operations.
Addressing all categories of workers ranging from train drivers to technical and administrative staff through a statement issued by Callistus Uyinmadu, Chief Public Relations Officer of the corporation, Opeifa noted the demanding nature of working in the railway sector and shared responsibility of every staff in ensuring passenger safety.
He stated further that, workers across all the standard gauge routes including:Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna, Warri-Itakpe, as well as the narrow gauge lines of Port Harcourt-Aba, Lagos-Kano, Lagos-Ogun and Jos-Kuru-Bukuru mass transit train, play critical roles in maintsining safety of the nation’s rail network.
“Nigerians trust us to move them safely, and that trust begins with how safe and supported we feel at work,” Opeifa said
He acknowledged the physical and mental stress associated with railway operations like long shifts, night duties, and pressure to maintain strict schedule adding that stress, fatigue, and poor communication could significantly increase safety risks across the system.
The NRC boss pointed out that a tired driver, distracted technician, or a demoralized station officer is a risk to the entire rail system,as there is a direct link between employee wellbeing and operational safety.
Regarding feed back received from workers on heavy workloads, irregular shift patterns and inadequate facilities especially at remote train sub-stations, Opeifa said feed back would now be treated as a central pillar of management’s broader safety strategy.
According to him, as part of 2026 action plan, the management of the corporation is committed to improving working conditions and supporting employee wellbeing.
Opeifa averred hat NRC would foster a more respectful and inclusive workplace culture adding that every role within the corporation from: cleaners at terminals to senior engineers is vital to the smooth running of railway services.
He also disclosed that there are plans to expand access to staff welfare and medical services, with a stronger focus on mental health support adding that employees experiencing stress or emotional challenges are being encouraged to seek help through supervisors, union representatives, or medical personnel.
He called on individual employees to take personal responsibility for promoting a safer and healthier work environment and report psychosocial risks with the same urgency as physical hazards.
“A healthy, supported workforce is how we keep NRC running safely, reliably, and proudly,” Opeifa stated.
