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By Fidelis Ugbomeh
Minister of Transportation, Senator Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali and his Marine and Blue Economy counterpart, Adegboyega Oyetola, have revealed plans to link all seaports in the country by railways so as to reduce cost of logistics and enhance evacuation of bulky imports and exports in and out of Nigerian ports. They reaffirmed government’s commitment to transforming the country’s land transport and marine sectors through massive infrastructure investment, manpower development and policy reforms.
Making this known at the 2025 Nigeria Transport Sector Summit, organized by Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) in Lagos recently, the ministers described ongoing government efforts as “critical to unlocking the nation’s economic potential and driving inclusive growth.”
Key achievements of the present administration were highlighted, including the ongoing modernization of several rail corridors like Port Harcourt-Maiduguri rail line, while the Port Harcourt-Aba segment has been completed and operationalized.
“The Kaduna-Kano and Kano-Maradi lines have also seen rapid progress, with execution levels now exceeding 50% and 60%, respectively, up from just 5–15% at the start of the administration.
“At the pace we are going, the Kano-Maradi line will reach Katsina by December 2025 and be ready for full completion by March 2027,” the minister disclosed.
Alkali, who was represented by the managing director NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, spoke about plans for a high-speed rail network connecting Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.
Also speaking, minister of marine and blue economy, Oyetola, said the new national marine and blue economy policy would cut logistics costs, boost trade competitiveness, and attract private sector investment into transport and maritime sectors.
Oyetola, who was represented by director, maritime services department, federal ministry of marine and blue economy, Dr. Mercy Ilori, explained that the policy provides a framework for seamless intermodal integration across road, rail, barge, and pipeline channels, aimed at transforming Nigeria into a logistics hub for West and Central Africa.
“By lowering the cost of doing business, improving turnaround times, and creating an enabling environment for private capital, we are positioning Nigeria as a preferred logistics destination in Africa,” Oyetola said.
The minister highlighted key interventions already underway, including the operationalisation of the Lagos–Ibadan standard gauge rail line for port cargo evacuation, expansion of barge operations at Lagos and Onne ports, completion of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, and the inauguration of the 27km Lekki Port Access Road.
He also pointed to the development of inland dry ports in Ibadan, Kaduna, Kano and Funtua to ease pressure on seaports and support regional economies.
Oyetola stressed that the success of the reforms depends on collaboration among shipping lines, terminal operators, freight forwarders, investors and regulators, adding that Nigeria must adopt digital, green and climate-resilient logistics solutions to remain competitive globally.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, TCAN chairman, Mr. Tola Adenubi, warned that Nigeria’s transport sector remains dangerously unbalanced, with over-reliance on road haulage, leaving highways in disrepair and citizens at risk.
He cited the “daily menace” of falling containers, persistent boat mishaps on inland waterways and chronic neglect of barge operations despite their potential to relieve road congestion and lower costs.
