The South-West Development Commission has clarified that the provisional rail licence recently granted to the commission does not permit the construction of new rail lines across the South-West region.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the commission said the clarification became necessary following widespread interpretations suggesting that the licence approved the development of new railway infrastructure in the region.
Last week, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Charles Akinola, announced that the SWDC had secured a provisional rail operating and track access licence from the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
The announcement sparked excitement across the South-West, with many believing the licence would pave the way for the construction of fresh rail networks.
However, the commission stressed that the approval only authorises SWDC to operate passenger and freight rail services on already existing narrow and standard gauge rail corridors within the region.
“The provisional rail operating and track access licence issued by the Nigerian Railway Corporation authorises SWDC to provide services on existing narrow and standard gauge rail corridors in the region. The licence does not extend to the construction of new rail tracks,” the statement read.
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Akinola had earlier explained that the initiative was designed to connect communities, businesses, industrial hubs, and economic centres through improved rail transportation services.
The commission further stated that the development would serve as the foundation for the South-West Rail, Agro-Industrial and Logistics platform, also known as SW-RAIL.
According to SWDC, the platform aims to optimise existing rail infrastructure, reduce transportation costs, improve logistics operations, strengthen agro-industrial growth, boost passenger mobility, and create employment opportunities across the region.
The commission also urged members of the public to rely on its official communication channels for accurate information regarding its programmes and projects.
The SWDC, established in September 2025, is a federal agency tasked with driving infrastructure development, economic expansion, and poverty reduction across the six South-West states, with its headquarters located in Ibadan.