The Federal Government has intensified efforts to improve Nigeria’s transport and logistics system with the constitution of a committee to accelerate rail connectivity to ports across the country.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this at the Quarterly Stakeholders Engagement of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), where he stressed the urgency of integrating rail infrastructure with port operations.
According to him, the initiative is aimed at enhancing efficiency in the movement of goods and boosting the nation’s freight and logistics ecosystem through increased private sector participation.
Dr. Opeifa revealed that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation had already constituted a committee to ensure effective implementation of the plan.
He noted that the stakeholder engagement provided a platform for key players in the maritime and rail sectors to harmonise strategies and strengthen collaboration toward building a more efficient and integrated transport network.
The NRC boss warned that investments in maritime sector reforms and deep-sea ports would continue to yield limited results without efficient rail linkages.
While acknowledging improved collaboration between the NRC and port authorities—particularly under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu—he emphasised the need for greater efforts to optimise cargo movement from ports, especially in Lagos and along the eastern corridor.
Dr. Opeifa highlighted persistent bottlenecks affecting seamless cargo movement via rail and called for deliberate interventions to enhance operational efficiency.
He stressed that a shift towards freight movement by rail is critical to achieving a more reliable and cost-effective logistics system.
Providing updates on infrastructure, he disclosed that the Kaduna-Kano rail corridor is nearing completion, while efforts are ongoing to link existing rail lines directly to ports to ease cargo evacuation and reduce congestion.
“The Federal Government has approved many plans, including the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge line extension from the Apapa Port to the Tincan Island port, while on the central line, the Warri-Itakpe would connect the Warri Port.
“On the Eastern flank, similar thing would happen on the Narrow Gauge as the line is expected to be connected to the Port-Harcourt Port at Onne, just as approval has been given to connect the Lagos-Kano on the Western flank to the Baro Port on the narrow gauge,” he said.
He further disclosed plans for a rail project linking the Lekki Deep Sea Port through Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu to Kajola, where it will connect with the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge line, with work expected to commence this year.
Dr. Opeifa maintained that connecting all ports by rail remains a key strategy for driving economic growth, urging stakeholders, including truck operators, to support rather than undermine the initiative.
He also underscored the need to expand freight yard capacity across both narrow and standard gauge networks to improve cargo handling and overall logistics efficiency.
Reiterating the government’s position, he said all ports in Nigeria must be linked by rail to guarantee seamless, efficient and standardised freight movement nationwide.
