LAGOS – In a major step toward easing traffic congestion on Lagos roads, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has resumed freight train services between the Apapa Port Complex and Ibadan, significantly reducing the number of heavy-duty trucks transporting cargo.
The Managing Director of NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, while speaking at the flag-off ceremony on Monday, described the initiative as a “game-changer” in Nigeria’s transportation sector.
“With this service, truck drivers who hesitate to enter Lagos due to strict traffic enforcement can now pick up containers at Moniya Inland Dry Port in Ibadan,” Opeifa stated.
He further disclosed that the container freight service would run three times a week—Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays—transporting up to 210 containers weekly.
“Each trip will carry either 35 units of 40ft containers or 70 units of 20ft containers, or a mix of both. This means fewer trailers on Lagos roads and a lower risk of container accidents,” he explained.
Opeifa also emphasized that freight movement by rail was more cost-effective than road transport, adding that in 2024 alone, NRC moved 362,327 metric tons of import and export cargo via rail.
Reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to railway revitalization, he said:
“As part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, this initiative directly addresses the cost of goods, the standard of living, and multi-dimensional poverty.”
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, echoed this sentiment, calling rail transport the “most efficient and cheapest means of moving freight.”
“This service will significantly reduce the influx of trucks into the port, as containers can now move seamlessly from vessel to rail for onward evacuation,” Akutah assured.
Also speaking, Mrs. Caroline Aubert-Adewuyi, Chief Commercial Officer of APM Terminals (APMT), hailed the development as a “milestone” for Nigerian logistics.
“Apapa’s strength lies in its multi-modal transportation system—integrating barge, road, and rail,” she noted.
She further revealed that APMT’s export volumes had grown by 43% over the last two years since the intensified use of rail services began in late 2022.
“The economic impact of increasing exports is evident, and today’s event reinforces our commitment to expanding these gains,” she added.
Other stakeholders present at the ceremony included representatives from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).
