THE Nigeria Youth World Council (NYWC) has unveiled Railway Fest Naija, an initiative aimed at promoting rail transportation and its role in national economic development.

Speaking in Lagos, NYWC Director-General, Ambassador Odika Uzochukwu Nicolas Franklyn, said the initiative would educate Nigerians on the importance of railways to economic growth.

Ambassador Odika Uzochukwu Nicolas Franklyn said ‘Railway Fest Naija: Valentine’s Experience on Rail’ would feature a Lagos–Ibadan return train ride on Valentine’s Day, celebrating love and shared journeys.

He described the biannual project as a platform uniting youths and professionals, including engineers, doctors and historians, to generate ideas that positively engage Nigerian youths.

According to Ambassador Odika Uzochukwu Nicolas Franklyn, the initiative seeks to renew relevance for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and deepen public understanding of rail transport’s economic and integrative value.

“The festival is not merely social, but an educational and sensitization platform to ignite youth interest, national pride and public support for the railway system.

“Railways represent journeys and connections. Valentine’s Day celebrates love. Combining both creates a transformative experience.

“This train experience offers couples and guests intimacy, elegance and curated memories that last a lifetime,” he said.

Ambassador Odika Uzochukwu Nicolas Franklyn said activities would include tourism, cultural and historical exhibitions, entertainment, modelling showcases and a pageant induction, all conducted aboard the moving train.

He noted that the festival had attracted interest from the International and African Books of World Records and host of others for a possible record-setting event on a moving train.

Ambassador Odika Uzochukwu Nicolas Franklyn urged Nigerians to support youth-led innovations, stressing that a functional railway system remained vital to economic growth, jobs and national development.

He said tickets ranged from N20,000 to N250,000, curated to ensure exclusivity and safety for participants.

Ambassador Odika Uzochukwu Franklyn Nicolas :  commended partners including the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Ojez, Tantalizers, Sweet Home, Kids and More, Hot360 Naija and Henvok International Ventures.

Also speaking, Ojez representative, Mr Sunny Nneji, said the initiative aimed to create a warmer atmosphere around rail travel and renewed togetherness.

“This is something new. We want people to connect and fall in love again, using the railway as a unique space.

“When culture and connection share the same track, interesting things happen. This partnership reimagines rail travel as uniquely Nigerian,” he said.

Meanwhile, President of the Legacy Museum, Mr Taiye Olaniyi, praised youths promoting history and heritage through creative railway-focused initiatives.

“We urge young Nigerians to use their constructive creative forces to make the best of the country’s situation,” Olaniyi said.