The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has constituted a committee to accelerate port connectivity to railway systems across the country as part of efforts to develop rail infrastructure through private sector participation.
Speaking at the Quarterly Stakeholders Engagement of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council, Opeifa emphasised the urgent need to deepen rail-port connectivity to improve efficiency within Nigeria’s freight and logistics ecosystem, according to a statement by the NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu.
He noted that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation has also constituted a committee to drive the effective delivery of the initiative.
The engagement brought together stakeholders from the maritime and rail sectors, providing a platform to align strategies, strengthen partnerships, and chart a path toward a more integrated and efficient national transport system.
Opeifa stated that ongoing reforms in the maritime sector and the development of deep-sea ports would continue to deliver only marginal returns without efficient rail linkages.
Addressing industry stakeholders, he acknowledged the existing collaboration between the NRC and port authorities, adding that notable progress has been recorded in recent years, particularly under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He stressed, however, that further efforts are required to fully optimise cargo movement from the ports, especially within Lagos and across the eastern port corridor to other parts of the country.
The NRC Managing Director highlighted persistent challenges affecting seamless cargo movement between ports via rail and called for deliberate measures to enhance operational efficiency and eliminate bottlenecks.
He emphasised that optimising port operations through a freight rail revolution is critical to achieving a more reliable and cost-effective logistics system.
Opeifa also underscored the strategic importance of interconnectivity among ports in the eastern region, disclosing plans to introduce new rail lines to strengthen port operations and regional trade integration.
Providing updates on infrastructure, he revealed that the Kaduna-Kano rail corridor is nearing completion.
He further outlined federal government efforts to connect existing rail lines to ports, a move expected to significantly improve cargo evacuation and reduce congestion within port corridors.
“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.”
Opeifa stated that connecting all ports by rail remains a critical pathway to strengthening the national economy.
He urged stakeholders, particularly truck operators, not to undermine the strategic push for rail linkages, noting that they play an essential role in transporting raw materials from farmlands to ports and distributing imported goods from freight yards to final destinations by road.
He also disclosed plans for a rail development project linked to the Lekki Deep Sea Port, which will pass through Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu to Kajola, where it will connect to the Lagos-Ibadan line on the western corridor, with construction expected to commence this year.
He reiterated that all ports across Nigeria must be connected by rail to ensure seamless, efficient, and standardised freight movement nationwide.
Opeifa further emphasised the need to expand the number of freight yards across both narrow gauge and standard gauge rail lines to enhance cargo handling capacity and improve overall logistics efficiency.
