The Lagos State Government has expanded its Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP) to include 11 rail lines and one monorail, marking a major step toward building a more integrated and efficient mass transit system for the state.

The development was disclosed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) following the signing of an agreement with China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) to establish a Railway Training Centre that will develop skilled manpower for the state’s growing rail network.

LAMATA Managing Director, Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, said the updated master plan reflects Lagos’ growing transportation demands and the government’s long-term vision of creating a modern, interconnected public transport system.

According to her, the expansion from the original six rail lines to 11 rail lines and a monorail makes it necessary to establish a globally certified railway training institution to equip Nigerians with expertise in railway operations, signalling, maintenance and customer service.

She added that the state aims to ensure that its rail infrastructure is operated and maintained by Nigerians, a move expected to create employment opportunities, reduce dependence on foreign experts and strengthen the nation’s economy.

LAMATA disclosed that more than 400 personnel, including train operators, customer service officers and technical staff, have already been trained since commercial operations began on the Blue and Red rail lines, with the Blue Line currently achieving over 90 per cent local staffing.

CCECC Vice President, Sun Xiangchun, described the proposed Railway Training Centre as a timely initiative, noting that it would combine classroom learning, practical training and simulation-based exercises to produce world-class railway professionals.

The agency said the training centre forms part of its long-term strategy to build indigenous technical capacity as Lagos develops what is expected to become one of Africa’s largest urban rail networks.

Currently, only the first phases of the Blue Line and Red Line are operational, while construction continues on their extensions. Other proposed corridors under the revised transport master plan include the Green, Purple, Orange and Yellow Lines, with the state also exploring an extension of the Red Line into Ogun State to improve regional connectivity.

The expanded rail network aligns with Lagos State’s broader 2050 Mobility Master Plan, which prioritises rail, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and ferry services over continuous road expansion as part of efforts to reduce traffic congestion and cater to the transportation needs of the state’s rapidly growing population.