Port rail connectivity key to unlocking economic growth, says Opeifa
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, said that strengthening rail links to Nigeria’s seaports remained central to unlocking growth in the country’s freight and
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, said that strengthening rail links to Nigeria’s seaports remained central to unlocking growth in the country’s freight and logistics ecosystem.
Opeifa spoke at the quarterly stakeholders’ engagement of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), where he delivered a keynote address.
He warned that ongoing investments in the maritime sector would continue to deliver limited value without efficient rail connectivity.
“The maritime sector reforms and the deep sea ports without an efficient rail linkage will continue to yield marginal returns,” he said.
The NRC boss acknowledged improved collaboration between the corporation and port authorities, particularly under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but stressed that more work was required to optimise cargo movement.
“Significant progress has been made in recent years… but more work needs to be done to fully optimise the movement of goods from the ports, particularly within Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital, and the eastern port corridor to other parts of the country,” he said.
Opeifa pointed to persistent bottlenecks in cargo movement, noting that inefficiencies in port evacuation continued to undermine the logistics chain.
Read Also: Nigerians who renounce citizenship to lose passports – Fed Govt
He said, “Optimising port operations through a revolution of freight by rail is critical to achieving a more reliable and cost-effective freight system.”
Highlighting ongoing and planned rail linkages, he disclosed that the Federal Government had approved multiple projects aimed at integrating ports with the national rail network.
“The Federal Government has approved many plans, including the Lagos Ibadan standard gauge line extension from the Apapa Port to the Tin Can Island Port.
“On the central line, the Warri Itakpe would connect the Warri Port.
“On the eastern flank, a similar thing would happen on the narrow gauge as the line is expected to be connected to the Port Harcourt Port at Onne.
“Approval has also been given to connect the Lagos-Kano line on the western flank to the Baro Port on the narrow gauge,” he said.
He described port rail integration as a strategic economic imperative, urging stakeholders not to frustrate the process.
“Connecting all the ports by rail remains one of the sure pathways to boosting the nation’s economy,” he said.
Opeifa cautioned against resistance from segments of the transport value chain, particularly road operators, stressing that their role remained critical.
“Truckers and other stakeholders should not sabotage the strategic drive of rail linkages as they too have a role to play in taking raw materials from the farmlands to the ports and in taking freight imported through the ports to final destinations by road from the freight yards,” he said.
On new infrastructure, he revealed plans for a rail connection to the Lekki Deep Sea Port.
“A rail development is being planned for the Lekki Deep Sea Port, which would pass through Ijebu Ode and Sagamu to Kajola, from where it would join the Lagos Ibadan line on the western corridor. This is most likely to take off this year,” he said.
He reiterated the broader vision for a fully integrated system.
“All ports in Nigeria must be connected by rail to ensure seamless, efficient and standardised freight movement nationwide,” he said.
The NRC managing director also called for expansion in supporting infrastructure.
“There is a need to increase the number of freight yards across both narrow gauge and standard gauge rail lines to boost cargo handling capacity and improve overall logistics efficiency,” he said.
Regarding future transport development, Opeifa disclosed that the Federal Government is exploring private-sector-driven high-speed rail projects.
“The federal government has shown strong interest in developing high-speed rail infrastructure through the private sector,” he said, adding that the Office of the Secretary had constituted a committee to drive implementation with the Government of the Federation.
