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NRC, APMT flag off three- times -a- week cargo train service from Lagos to Ibadan with 35 containers

–relaunch will decongest the port- Akutah 
Funso OLOJO 
Following the MoU between the Nigerian Railway Corporation(NRC) and the APM Terminal to resuscitate the abandoned Lagos – Ibadan train service, the two organizations flagged off the relaunch of the train route on Monday, February 10th, 2025 with 35 containers departing from the Lagos Port to Monica, in Ibadan, Oyo state.
Speaking during the re-launch of the cargo train on the standard gauge rail, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, disclosed that the service will run thrice weekly, on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with each train trip carrying 35 wagons of 35 by 40ft or 35 wagons of 70 by 20ft containers or a mixture of both sizes.

“Though, NRC and APM Terminals have a long history of doing business of container traffic to places in the hinterland of Nigeria such as; Kaduna, Kano, but it is mainly on the narrow gauge lines” declared Opeifa.
“However, container traffic movement by rail on the standard gauge in and out of APM Terminals to Moniya freight yard in Ibadan commenced on September 2023 with the likes of Bueno Logistics and Transco Africa Logistics blazing the trail among other customers using the single “transitional line” in APMT” he continued.

“Two additional lines are at an advanced stage of completion in APMT which will bring the total lines within the APMT standard gauge corridor to three lines.

“While this milestone event marks the commencement of container traffic expansion on the standard gauge rail Line from APMT Terminal to Moniya Ibadan Freight yard, this will facilitate the import and export of commodities with adequate convenience and hitch-free vehicle movement” the NRC MD stated.

 According to Opeifa, NRC moved 362,327 tonnage of containers, import and export, in and out of APM Terminal both on the Standard and Narrow gauges in the year 2024.

“The Federal Government under the leadership of Mr President is fully committed to revitalisation and modernisation project of the Nigerian Railway Corporation for efficient rail system.

“As part of the Renewed Hope agenda of Mr President, this is one of the surest ways to address the cost of goods, the standard of living and multi-dimensional poverty.”

Also speaking during the re-launch exercise, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Mr Pius Akutah, explained that the resumption of rail haulage will lead to the decongestion of the port terminals.

“You will recall that this time last year, the NSC and the NRC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to look into the possibility of developing a rail transport system to support trade.

“We at the NSC understand that rail transport happens to be the cheapest and safest when it comes to trade.

“I must commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for providing necessary support towards the development of infrastructure that supports trade facilitation.”

Speaking on behalf of APM Terminals, the terminal’s Chief Commercial Officer, Caroline Aubert-Adewuyi highlighted the improvements made to the service since its initial introduction in September 2023.

“The new schedule ensures trains depart three times a week—Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays— providing businesses with greater predictability and efficiency.

“Unlike the previous system, where trains departed only when fully loaded, the structured timetable allows customers to plan shipments in advance.

 Additionally, payments for the service have been streamlined, with customers now paying exclusively to APM Terminals Apapa, which will facilitate transactions with all relevant stakeholders.

“The re-launch comes at a crucial time, as traffic congestion in Apapa continues to drive up road transport costs.

” By offering a cost-effective and time-saving alternative, the rail service aims to support Nigeria’s trade and export sector, particularly benefiting agricultural producers and perishable goods exporters,” Caroline Aubert-Adewuyi stated.
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Customs

How NPA’ s ETO call- up system hampers seamless export processes at Lilypond Terminal — Customs

Funso OLOJO 
The Customs Area Controller of the Lilypond Export Command, Comptroller Ajibola Odusanya, has attributed the persistent delay in export cargo movement at the command to logistics issues associated with the Nigerian Port Authority’s Eto call-up system, rather than any bottlenecks from the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
Eto call- up system is a structured movement of container- laden trucks into the terminals meant to decongest Port access road and facilitate quick goods clearance at the port.
It was developed by the NPA and driven by a private company.
However, Comptroller Odusanya, speaking at a Roundtable with members of Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN),emphasized that while the command has streamlined the export process,  lack of available slots for trucks to enter the ports remains a major challenge.
 He noted that despite the command’s efforts, numerous containers remain stranded at Lilypond due to the inability of trucks to secure clearance under the Eto system.
He explained that prior to the implementation of a centralized export processing system, multiple customs units across Apapa, Tin Can, PTML, and Lekki ports handled export documentation.
However, in July 2024, the government directed the full centralization of all export processes under the Lilypond Export Command.
This move, driven by the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and backed by agencies such as the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), was aimed at streamlining operations and reducing multiple checkpoints.
Odusanya revealed that between January and December 2024, the command processed exports valued at approximately $1.9 billion, a figure that could have been higher if the consolidation had occurred earlier in the year.
He added that in February 2025 alone, the command facilitated exports worth $225.1 million.
He attributed these successes to inter-agency collaboration, with Customs working alongside the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and quarantine services, among others.
Despite the improved export facilitation, Odusanya acknowledged that challenges persist, particularly with the Eto call-up system, which has created logistical constraints.
 He explained that export containers often get delayed at Lilypond not due to customs processes but because of congestion at the ports, caused by import containers awaiting clearance.
He pointed out that while Apapa remains the busiest port for exports, the congestion problem is less severe at Tin Can due to the presence of an export processing terminal.
On the issue of the Nigerian Export Proceeds (NXP) form, Odusanya stated that the command has ensured compliance with all regulatory requirements.
 He, however, acknowledged exporters’ concerns about the process and assured that Customs is working to facilitate seamless trade while ensuring adherence to financial regulations.
He urged maritime stakeholders, including the media, to continue sensitizing exporters on the ease of processing export goods through Lilypond, emphasizing that the command operates transparently and does not condone extortion.
He reiterated that officers at the entry points are strictly there to verify processed cargo and not to serve as an additional checkpoint.
Odusanya concluded by reaffirming the commitment of the Lilypond Export Command to supporting Nigeria’s growing export sector, ensuring efficiency in cargo movement, and addressing any emerging challenges in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
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Economy

Dangote group remits N402.3 billion tax to government coffers in 2024

Gloria Odion 
The Pan African Conglomerate, Dangote Industries Limited and its subsidiaries, have disclosed that it paid over N402 billion in taxes in 2024, making it the highest taxpayer in the country.
Dangote’s Chief Branding and Communication Officer, Anthony Chiejina, declared during a meeting with some senior media executives who visited him in his Lagos Office.
He said Dangote Industries Limited (DIL) and its subsidiaries, namely, Dangote Cement, NASCON, Dangote Packaging Limited among others, remitted a total of N402.319billion for the out-gone year as taxes as responsible business enterprises.
Recall that Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) had in late 2024 recognised  Dangote group and its subsidiary, Bluestar Shipping as the most tax compliant organizations in the country during its Special Day at the 2024 Lagos International Trade Fair organised by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).
The Federal Inland Revenue Service is Nigeria’s agency responsible for assessing, collecting and accounting for tax and other revenues accruing to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Chiejina told his visitors that as a responsible business organisation, DIL and its subsidiaries have never shieded away from its obligations either to the government in the form of tax payment at all levels or to host communities in the form of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
According to him, the Group’s corporate strategy has evolved just as its businesses have grown, matured and diversified into new sectors and regions over the last four decades.
He noted that Dangote Group has almost single-handedly taken Nigeria to self-sufficiency in cement and refined petroleum products and is expanding rapidly across Africa.
Dangote Group and its subsidiaries were recognised as number one most compliant in tax payment in the country, just as its subsidiary Dangote Cement, the country’s leading cement manufacturer, at another occasion won three awards at the FMDQ Gold Awards in Lagos as the most active business in the Foreign Exchange market.
Dangote Cement Plc was adjudged as the Largest Commercial Paper Quotation on FMDQ and Single Largest Corporate Debt Issue on FMDQ.
 Also, Dangote Industries Ltd also emerged as the “Most active corporate in the foreign exchange market”.
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Headlines

NIWA Chairman charges Oyebamiji to phase out wooden boats from Nigeria’s waterways

Funso OLOJO 
The newly appointed Chairman of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Hon.Musa Sarkin-Adar, has charged the management team of the Authority led by its Managing Director, Bola Oyebamiji, to phase out wooden boats from Nigeria’s waterways.
Musa Sarkin-Adar, who paid a
 familiarization visit to the management team of NIWA in its Abuja liaison office, in a bid to minimize boat mishaps on the waterways.
He believed it would be a lasting legacy for the present leadership of NIWA if accidents could be minimized on the Waterways.
The Chairman’s advice is however in alignment with the NIWA’ s resolve to stamp out wooden and rickety boats on waterways.
However, Musa Sarkin-Adar further encouraged the NIWA team to do more in connecting other states in the water transportation.
He emphasized on the need for the involvement of the private sector in the development of water transportation, as government cannot do it alone.
In his response, Oyebamiji expressed appreciation for the visit and encouraging words of the chairman and pledged the commitment of of NIWA management to make the nation’s waterways safe and secure.
Oyebamiji also commended the efforts of his management team in the development of the Inland Waterways
Transportation sub-sector.
According to him, he is blessed with an experienced and dedicated team which he cannot take the glory alone.
The Chairman’s visit was attended by all the management staff of the Authority.
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