The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), in collaboration with APM Terminals, has expanded its cargo movement operations, now linking the Apapa Port in Lagos to the NRC’s freight yard in Moniya, Ibadan, Oyo State. This expansion, announced at a flag-off ceremony in Apapa on Monday, marks a significant step in enhancing Nigeria’s rail logistics network.
At the event, NRC’s new Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, emphasized the critical role rail transport plays in President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He assured that the government is committed to strengthening the rail system to support national growth.
“This collaboration is set to boost logistics efficiency, expand rail transport capacity, and offer a more sustainable, cost-effective solution for cargo movement. Most importantly, it will help alleviate congestion at the Apapa port,” Opeifa said.
The initiative follows an agreement between Opeifa and Frederik Klinke, CEO of APM Terminals Nigeria, to outline the operational details of the freight service. Under the plan, the rail service will run three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays with each train carrying up to 35 wagons, either 35 by 40ft or 70 by 20ft containers, or a mix of both sizes.
Opeifa also highlighted the longstanding partnership between NRC and APM Terminals, noting that while container transport to northern Nigeria like Kaduna and Kano has been ongoing via narrow gauge lines, this new service on the standard gauge represents a major step forward. Since September 2023, container traffic on the standard gauge between Apapa and Moniya has been operational, with logistics companies like Bueno Logistics and Transco Africa Logistics leading the way.
“The expansion of APMT’s infrastructure, with two additional lines almost completed, will bring the total number of standard gauge lines to three, further enhancing the capacity of the service,” Opeifa added.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Pius Akutah, praised the development, emphasizing the positive impact it would have on decongesting the port terminals. He also encouraged continued investment in the rail system to support trade.
“Rail transport is the most cost-effective and safest option for trade logistics. We at the NSC are committed to collaborating on developing a rail system that facilitates trade,” Akutah said, commending President Tinubu for his support of infrastructure initiatives aimed at boosting trade facilitation.
