Toba Owojaiye reporting
Abuja, Nigeria
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has reaffirmed its commitment to reviving container freight services to Kaduna and Kano, aiming to enhance logistics efficiency and reduce reliance on road transportation. This was disclosed by NRC’s Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, during a meeting with Inland Containers Nigeria Ltd. (ICNL) in Lagos.
Truth Live News gathered that Dr Opeifa emphasized NRC’s willingness to collaborate with major logistics firms to facilitate large-scale container movement across the country. He cited ongoing partnerships, including with APMT for cargo movement to the Ibadan Inland Dry Port, as evidence of NRC’s renewed focus on intermodal transport solutions.
“With the ICNL partnership, the corporation hopes to move an additional 50 to 100 containers per day from Lagos to Kano via Apapa, Ijoko, Ilorin, Minna, and Kaduna,” he stated.
Mr. Akin Osinowo, NRC’s Director of Operations and Commercial, acknowledged ICNL as a long-term partner and assured that past obstacles, including rail track washouts and security threats between Minna and Kaduna, were being actively addressed by engineers and the Federal Government.
Globally, rail transport is a preferred method for moving fuel and heavy cargo due to its cost-effectiveness, safety, and environmental benefits. Countries like the United States, Russia, and India use railway networks extensively for transporting petroleum products, reducing road congestion and accidents.
In Nigeria, expanding railway cargo services could significantly impact logistics costs and road safety. Transporting fuel by rail, for instance, reduces tanker-related accidents and road damage. Additionally, it enhances fuel distribution efficiency, ensuring steady supply to industrial and commercial hubs.
Beyond container movement, NRC is also in discussions with major manufacturers like Dangote Group and BUA to expand railway haulage. The corporation is already transporting cement for Lafarge Africa from Ewekoro to Osogbo and Ilorin, underscoring its commitment to revitalizing industrial freight rail services.
The successful resumption of container rail freight to Kaduna and Kano would mark a critical step in Nigeria’s intermodal transport strategy, reducing logistics costs for businesses and improving overall trade efficiency.
While this development is promising, sustaining it requires continuous infrastructure investment, security enhancement along rail corridors, and policy consistency. The government’s commitment to addressing rail infrastructure challenges will determine whether this initiative thrives or faces setbacks similar to past disruptions in cargo rail services.