Deji Idowu, PhD

LAGOS BLUE LINE EXPANSION: THREE NEW STATIONS TO OPEN BY FEBRUARY 2027 Lagos is set to expand its urban rail network, with three additional stations on the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Blue Line scheduled to open to commuters by the end of February 2027, the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Engr. Mrs. Abimbola Akinajo, has announced. The new stations — FESTAC, Alakija and Trade Fair — will extend the reach of the Blue Line and increase the number of operational stations from five to eight, marking another significant milestone in Lagos State’s drive to deliver an integrated, efficient and world-class public transportation system. Engr. Akinajo made the announcement in Lagos while speaking at the 2026 Media Parley organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation. She said the planned opening of the three stations in the first quarter of 2027 would bring rail services closer to more residents, particularly commuters along the FESTAC–Alakija–Trade Fair corridor. The expansion is expected to strengthen connectivity, improve access to mass transit and provide more residents with an alternative to road transportation, as Lagos continues to invest in modern transport infrastructure to meet the mobility needs of its growing population. The Blue Line currently operates five stations: Marina, National Theatre, Iganmu, Alaba and Mile 2. The addition of FESTAC, Alakija and Trade Fair will increase the operational network to eight stations, further advancing the development of the state's urban rail system. Beyond the rail expansion, the LAMATA Managing Director disclosed that four Quality Bus Corridors (QBCs) are nearing completion, while construction work on the Marina and Mile 2 Interchange Hubs has recorded considerable progress. The developments form part of Lagos State’s broader strategy to improve public transportation through an integrated network of rail, bus and interchange facilities, making journeys more seamless and improving connections between different transport modes. The planned opening of the three Blue Line stations, alongside progress on the Quality Bus Corridors and Interchange Hubs, underscores the state government's commitment to expanding transport infrastructure, improving commuter experience and building a more efficient and sustainable urban mobility system. With the new stations scheduled to come on stream in early 2027, the Blue Line expansion represents a major step towards bringing modern rail transportation within the reach of more Lagos residents.