By Iroyin Yoruba Television
LAGOS, Nigeria — October 24, 2026
The Lagos State Government plans to open three additional stations on the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line by the end of February 2027, extending train services beyond Mile 2 towards communities along the Lagos–Badagry corridor.
The Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), Abimbola Akinajo, announced the target during the 2026 media parley organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation.
The planned stations are FESTAC, Alakija and Trade Fair. Their opening would increase the number of operational Blue Line stations from five to eight, according to LAMATA.
The expansion is intended to bring rail transport closer to residents who currently depend heavily on road-based travel along the corridor.
THREE STATIONS TO EXTEND THE RAIL NETWORK
The Blue Line currently operates between Marina and Mile 2, serving Marina, National Theatre, Iganmu, Alaba and Mile 2.
The three planned stations would extend the line beyond its existing terminus and provide additional access points for passengers travelling to and from FESTAC, Alakija and Trade Fair.
The development is part of the second phase of the Blue Line project. The wider extension is planned to continue beyond the three stations towards Volkswagen, Lagos State University and Okokomaiko.
However, LAMATA's latest announcement sets the end of February 2027 as the target for the first three additional stations. It does not mean the entire second phase will be operational by that date.
BUS CORRIDORS AND INTERCHANGE HUBS ALSO UNDER DEVELOPMENT
Akinajo also reported progress on four Quality Bus Corridors, which she said were nearing completion.
Construction at the Marina and Mile 2 interchange hubs had also made considerable progress, according to the transport authority.
These facilities are intended to strengthen connections between rail and bus services. Effective interchange arrangements can make it easier for passengers to transfer between transport modes rather than completing every journey by road.
The latest announcement did not provide specific opening dates for the four bus corridors or the two interchange hubs.
WHAT THE EXPANSION COULD MEAN FOR COMMUTERS
The planned stations could offer residents along the FESTAC–Alakija–Trade Fair axis another option for travelling towards central Lagos. Greater rail access may also help reduce reliance on road transport for some journeys.
The practical benefits will depend on when the stations become operational, the frequency and capacity of train services, fares, passenger access and connections with buses and other local transport.
The state government has not announced a separate fare schedule or detailed service timetable for the new stations.
It is therefore too early to quantify how much time commuters might save or how much road congestion the extension will remove.
FEBRUARY TARGET WILL BE THE KEY TEST
The Blue Line began commercial operations in September 2023, initially serving the Marina–Mile 2 section. The planned extension represents another stage in Lagos State's efforts to develop a larger urban rail network.
For commuters, the next milestone is the actual opening of the three stations, rather than the announcement of a target date.
If delivered as planned, the extension will give more residents access to rail services. Its wider effect on congestion and travel costs will depend on reliable operations and integration with other public transport services.