FEC Approves $45.3 Million for Rail Link Connecting Western Ports to Hinterland

Abuja, Nigeria – The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a $45.3 million contract for the feasibility study and engineering design of a proposed railway linking four major seaports in Nigeria’s western region to the hinterlands. The project aims to integrate the ports into the national rail network, enhancing freight movement and boosting economic growth.

Rail Link to Connect Four Key Seaports

Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, disclosed the approval during an interview on Arise News on Tuesday. He revealed that the railway alignment will connect Badagry Deep Sea Port, Tin Can Seaport, Apapa Seaport, and Lekki Seaport to Ijebu-Ode and Kajola, where it will link up with the Lagos-Kano-Maradi Railway Modernization Project.

“The goal is to link the western ports to hinterland cities,” Alkali stated, emphasizing the economic benefits of improving freight transportation.

Current Rail Connectivity and Expansion Plans

Presently, only Apapa Port is linked to the rail network via a standard-gauge track inside the APMT Terminal, facilitating freight movement between Lagos and Ibadan. Additionally, a rehabilitated narrow-gauge railway is operational for cargo transportation between Lagos and Kano.

The new project is expected to expand rail connectivity, enabling all four western seaports to efficiently transport goods inland, thereby reducing road congestion, lowering transport costs, and boosting Nigeria’s GDP.

Recent Developments in Nigeria’s Rail Sector

The approval for the feasibility study follows recent strides in Nigeria’s railway sector:

• September 2023: The Federal Government flagged off the first cargo movement on the Lagos-Ibadan rail corridor, two years after its commissioning.
• October 2024: The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) awarded a three-year freight service license to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) to operate on the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway until 2027.
• June 6, 2024: Freight services resumed on the rehabilitated Lagos-Kano narrow gauge railway, with successful trial runs transporting cargo from Apapa Port to the Dala Inland Dry Port in Kano.

The newly approved feasibility study and engineering design contract marks a significant step toward enhancing Nigeria’s rail infrastructure, fostering trade, and improving logistics efficiency across the country.