By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
The Abuja Rail Mass Transit (ARMT), has transported over four million passengers within just 15 months of resuming commercial operations in May 2024, officials announced on Tuesday.
The system has maintained more than 450 days of uninterrupted service, solidifying its place as a preferred mode of transport for residents of the Federal Capital.
Marking another milestone, Nigeria also received its first batch of locally trained rail operators following overseas training in China, alongside the formal launch of a domestic rail operations training programme in Abuja.
At a ceremony attended by senior officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), stakeholders described the development as a major leap in technical knowledge transfer and sustainable rail management.
Deputy General Manager of CCECC Rail Operations, Zhuang Yanhui, commended the Nigerian trainees for their dedication, noting that the training would strengthen local capacity in areas such as dispatch and control, station management, maintenance, and safety.
“This ceremony is not just about celebrating training. It represents the beginning of knowledge transfer, local empowerment, and sustainable operations for the ARMT,” Yanhui said.
He further credited FCTA’s leadership for its support, stressing that the project is building not only infrastructure but also long-term operational capacity rooted in local expertise.
With its growing ridership and emphasis on local capacity development, the Abuja Rail Mass Transit is increasingly seen as a model for modern urban transport in West Africa, with stakeholders pledging to maintain high standards of safety, efficiency, and service delivery.
