By Charles Maduka
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has urged the Legacy Railway Museum in Lagos to intensify efforts in attracting more tourists to historic railway sites across the country.
Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, made the call during a meeting with the museum’s Board of Trustees and Management, led by its President, Mr. Taiwo Olaniyi.
Opeifa proposed the introduction of a dedicated tourist bus service to transport visitors around the railway headquarters and major stations in Lagos. He also advised the museum to produce a documentary highlighting significant railway monuments, such as historic railway buildings, to garner government support.
Assuring the museum of the NRC’s commitment to collaboration, Opeifa noted that expanding tourism initiatives would not only generate revenue but also ensure the museum’s sustainability.
Speaking on the museum’s role, Mr. Olaniyi stated that the Legacy Railway Museum, also known as Jaekel House, has been preserving railway artifacts for over three decades. He disclosed that students from the University of Lagos and other institutions frequently visit to study its architectural designs.
Olaniyi further revealed that the museum maintains partnerships with global institutions, including the Goethe Institute of Germany, the British High Commission, and Oxford University, to safeguard Nigeria’s railway heritage. He appealed to the NRC to protect old railway structures from demolition or modification.
In a related development, Ojez Entertainment, a business partner of the NRC, has expressed interest in strengthening ties with the corporation.
The Chairman of Ojez Entertainment, Mr. Joseph Odobeatu, led a delegation—including renowned musician Sunny Nneji—on a courtesy visit to Dr. Opeifa.
Commending the company’s longstanding partnership with the NRC, Opeifa also lauded Sunny Nneji for his positive remarks about his recent train journey from Lagos to Ibadan, which he described as “a comfortable ride.”
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