The Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, says plans are underway to connect all the nation’s seaports and dry ports to the railway network to enhance the logistics supply chain service.
Managing Director of NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, who stated this at the Transportation Correspondents Association of Nigeria, TCAN, 2025 Transport Summit held in Lagos, affirmed that the move is to ensure seamless cargo movement.
Dr. Opeifa noted that NRC is planning to make Apapa a new logistics hub to facilitate the movement of goods from the port to the hinterlands, describing the project as priority number one.
According to him, the federal government’s priority is to link the Port Harcourt–Maiduguri rail line to Port-Harcourt Port in Rivers State, as well as the Warri rail station to Warri Port in Delta State.
He said over 25 logistics companies are currently utilizing the national rail corridors for cargo movement, noting that Tin Can Island Port and Calabar port are not left out in the project of rail linkage.
The NRC boss also explained that the Itakpe–Warri route remains closed but that the necessary infrastructure is in place for repair works.
Dr. Opeifa, noted that the completion and operationalization of the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Guage Rail line has supported cargo evacuation at the Lagos-Apapa Seaport complex.
“This line now connects directly to the inland container depots and dry ports.””Our collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Transportation is extending such linkages to other major ports in various parts of the country.” He said.
Dr. Opeifa, added that the NRC has promoted barge operations as a short-to-medium term solution to road congestion.
“Today, growing volumes of cargo are being successfully moved by barge from Lagos and Onne ports to hinterland destinations.”
Speaking on the theme of this year’s Transportation summit, “Driving the Transport Logistics Value Chains for Economic Growth,” TCAN Chairman, Tola Adenubi noted that Nigeria has often paid only lip service to improving transportation modes, leaving barge operators bankrupt and struggling to survive.
The TCAN Chairman called for adequate funding for barges to expand capacity and fleets, pointing out that transportation modes remain poorly utilized, forcing the country to rely heavily on road haulage, which shortens the lifespan of roads.
He explained that besides cargo movement, waterways also facilitate passenger transport across the country, connecting communities and providing vital transportation routes.