{
  "id": 6425517,
  "title": "South-west Rail Network Moves Closer to Reality As SWDC Secures Provisional Licence",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/09/south-west-rail-network-moves-closer-to-reality-as-swdc-secures",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-09T13:22:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "This Day",
    "slug": "this-day",
    "url": "https://www.thisdaylive.com/2026/09/09/south-west-%e2%81%a0%e2%81%a0%e2%81%a0%e2%81%a0%e2%81%a0rail-network-moves/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The South West Development Commission (SWDC) is making significant strides in its plan to create a regional passenger and freight rail network across the six South-west states. During a strategic meeting held at Cocoa House in Ibadan, SWDC Managing Director Dr Charles Akinola announced that the commission has been granted a provisional licence to establish this rail system. In collaboration with Odu’a Investment Company Ltd. and the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, SWDC aims to construct an interconnected rail network that will facilitate passenger movement and freight transportation throughout the region.\n\nAkinola also highlighted that the commission is exploring other crucial infrastructure initiatives, such as energy security and an integrated road transportation system. He plans to construct a road connecting Ore in Ondo State to the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, further enhancing the region's connectivity. The SWDC boss expressed openness to partnerships that could help revive the region's developmental vision, emphasizing the importance of key stakeholders like the Association of Retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the South-west.\n\nRegional President of the association, Mr. Demola Badejo, acknowledged the significance of the meeting, stating that it aimed to explore areas of partnership and cooperation between the association and the SWDC and DAWN Commission. Badejo expressed satisfaction that the DAWN Commission collaborated in producing a proposed economic development plan for the South-west, which the association presented to Odu’a Investment Company and SWDC. He also commended Odu’a Investment Company for its role in representing the collective economic interests and aspirations of the South-west states.",
  "summary": "The South West Development Commission (SWDC) has secured a provisional licence to establish a comprehensive regional passenger and freight rail network connecting the six states of the South-west. The Managing",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}