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Exclusive! FG plans massive rail connection to seaports in Nigeria– Opeifa 

— Lekki Deep Sea Port to be connected to Lagos -Kano line
Funso OLOJO 
The Federal government of Nigeria has concluded plans to connect all the sea ports in the country to rail lines in a bid to facilitate seamless movement of goods in and out of the ports.
This ambitious rail connectivity is part of the larger National Rail line programme that  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is billed to unveil on or before October 1st, 2025.
Making this revelation on Thursday, August 7th, 2025 was the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa when he appeared on a live broadcast programme on a popular Television station in Abuja.
Opeifa, who was speaking on the efforts of government to revitalize rail transport in the country, disclosed that the plan of President Tinubu is to connect all the towns and cities  as well as all the ports to rail lines under the National Rail line programme.
On the issue of Port connectivity to the rail lines, Opeifa stated that the plan, which has commenced in Apapa port at the PTML Terminal,will soon be extended to Tin Can Port, Onne port, Port- Hacourt port and Warri Port.
“There is also a plan to connect all the seaports in Nigeria.
 “So you have a situation where
the plan is to connect Apapa Port to Lagos Port.
“The train currently gets to Lagos Port, which is both on  narrow gauge and standard gauge but the main container terminal at the Tin Can Port, will eventually get connected.
“Same way, the Warri  Port will be connected to Warri on the Central line, that is Warri Port to Warri Town, that will take you to Itakpe, and eventually a connection to Abuja.
“The same way we are having the  Port Hacourt  line,the narrow gauge, is going to be extended back to Onne Port, and
Port Harcourt which is already at
Aba.
“Like I said, we’ll move to Umuahia ,Enugu and then Uyo.
“Then there is also a plan to connect the Lekki deep sea Port to the Lagos-Kano line via Kajola.
“And there is also a plan to take some from the Lekki deep sea Port, which is to be connected to the Lagos-Kano line, eventually going to Benni,  Onitsha, Enugu, and the rest on the standard route.
“And you saw recently, there was a borrowing plan approved by the National Assembly for some of these lines.
“So the plan is extensive, and like I said, before October 1st, the President will eventually unveil the national rail  plan for the ports.
 “So we have what we call the Vision 5, 10, 20, 30.
“That is what we’ll do in the first five years, how we transit to renewable energy in the first five years to ten
years when we start going electric.
“And then the issue of fast train is also on the table in the five to ten year program.
 “So it’s a massive program, and it will soon be unveiled” Opeifa enthused.
On the plan to connect all the towns and cities in the country, the NRC boss disclosed that the programme is tied to the expansion of the ongoing rail modernisation plan on the standard gauge.
“There is a plan to connect major cities of this country, and we have seen that with Jos.
“Now, there is also a plan to expand the ongoing rail modernization plan on the Standard gauge.
“Very soon, before, most likely before October 1, there will be unveiling of many of the other new lines that are coming up.
“But I can tell you for sure that I see large connections to many towns and cities.
“There is the Regional Development Commission, too.
“They are also working on that plan.
 What we are doing is integrating all these plans with the National Rail Corridor.
“There is the Western Line. So let me go first on the Western Line, Lagos to Kano. That is narrow gauge.
“There is also Lagos to Kano. That is the Standard gauge. So right now, the Minister of Transportation mentioned recently in Kaduna how far we are going on the Kano-Kaduna line and how far we are going on the Kano-Maradi line.
“So what you see is that Abuja-Kaduna will now be linked to Abuja-Kano within the next 12 months to 24 months.
“And we are now moving from ibadan to Oshogbo and  possibly to Oyo, and then we’ll move to Oyo to Oshogbo, then we’ll move to Ilorin.
“Or we move from Oyo to Oshogbo, then we move to Ilorin.
“On the Eastern plan, we are moving from Aba to Enugu and from Aba to Umuahia and Umuahia  to Enugu.
“And subsequently, we’ll move from there to Makurdi to Lafia and then we’ll move up to Maiduguri” declared Opeifa.
He said the plan is an ambitious one which will gulp a lot of money but which the government is determined to pursue to give the people the dividends of democracy.
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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Francis Ibe MOGU

    August 8, 2025 at 11:08 am

    Please connect the Calabar SeaPort by rail to Maiduguri via Ogoja, Jalingo, Yola. You should also extend this connection to Abuja and other towns.
    In a nutshell, Calabar is the key city in South South Nigeria that links West Africa to Central Africa. In line with the African Continental Free Trade Arrangement,it is crucial to build and open up Deep Sea Ports from Calabar to Northern Nigeria, Cameroon and Central Africa. The Calabar-Ogoja-Maiduguri Corridor would be a game changer for Nigeria if constructed and implemented! Thank you very kindly!!!

    Reply

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Headlines

Greg Ogbeifun confirms chairmanship of 10th AMSAY Conference Anniversary on May 27th.

Gloria Odion,  Maritime reporter 
The organisers of the Annual Maritime Students and Youth (AMSAY) Conference have announced that  renowned ship owner and Chairman of Starzs Investment Company Ltd, Engr Greg Ogbeifun will chair the 10th anniversary of the event scheduled to hold in Lagos on May 27, 2026.
The announcement comes as preparations intensify for what is widely regarded as a landmark edition of the youth-focused maritime conference.
The 10th AMSAY Conference marks a decade of sustained youth engagement, innovation, and impact in Nigeria’s maritime sector.
It is expected to bring together industry leaders, policymakers, stakeholders, and young professionals from across the maritime ecosystem.
Engr. Ogbeifun’s confirmation as Chairman adds significant weight to the anniversary event.
He previously served as the Pioneer Chairman during the maiden edition of the conference in 2016, and his return ten years later is described by the organisers as both symbolic and strategic.
According to the Convener and CEO of Platforms Communications, Mr Sylvanus Obasi, the decision reflects a deliberate effort to connect the conference’s origins with its current status, noting that the AMSAY Conference has evolved significantly over the past decade.
He highlighted that several key initiatives now associated with the conference were not part of its original design.
 Among these are the Best Graduating Maritime Students Awards (BEGMASA); the  Fola Ojutalayo Annual Maritime Speech-Making Competition (FOAMSC), including the Maritime Career Mentoring Program (M-CAMP).
These programmes, according to him, have become integral components and offshoot of the AMSAY Conference brand.
Speaking further, Obasi stated that the initiatives have delivered measurable impact in youth development and professional capacity building, even as he further described the growth of these programmes as evidence of the conference’s commitment to continuous improvement.
“Bringing Engr. Ogbeifun back after ten years is a strategic move. It gives us the opportunity to reflect on our journey and showcase our achievements.”, the Convener said, adding that the anniversary edition will also provide a platform to draw from Engr Greg’s  wealth of experience and industry insight.
Also speaking, the Chairman, Central Planning Committee of AMSAY Conference, Mr Nnamdi Eronini hinted that the 10th AMSAY Conference is expected to feature robust discussions, mentorship engagements, and knowledge-sharing sessions.
He reaffirmed the organisers commitment to advancing the maritime sector through sustained youth engagement and innovation, noting that the event is positioned as a leading platform for shaping the future of Nigeria’s maritime industry.
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Customs

Oyo/Osun Customs Command collects 27.2billon revenue in Q1 2026

Funso OLOJO,  Editor 
The Oyo/Osun Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has posted an impressive 95% increase in revenue collection in the first quarter of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025.
Led by Acting Comptroller Wale Moses Adewole, the command generated ₦27.2 billion between January and March 2026, up from ₦13.97 billion in Q1 2025.
A breakdown of the generated revenue revealed that the command raked in a total sum of N5,977,766,941.65 in January 2026 which was about N2 billion lower (23% down) than the total sum of N7,804,408,776.88 collected in the same period of 2025.
However, despite a dip in January, revenue rebounded strongly in February and March.
 In February , the command’s revenue collection jumped up astronomically to a total sum of N8,767,974,864.40 against the very low total revenue of N2,289,193,870 realized in the corresponding period of 2025.
This year’s February revenue is over 383% higher than the revenue collected the same period last year.
February’s performance was the standout, with collections nearly quadrupling year-on-year.
In March 2026, Acting Comptroller Adewole’s administrative ingenuity and thoroughness further shored up the revenue generation of the command in the month under review to a total sum of N12,454,516,158.62.
 In the corresponding period  of last year, the command’s generated revenue was a patry sum of N3,877,668,667.
This year’s March revenue achievement represents 321% rise over last year’s.
 Acting Comptroller Adewole’s administrative reforms and enforcement measures are credited with driving the surge.
Overall, the command’s Q1 results underscore a significant improvement in efficiency and compliance, positioning Oyo/Osun as one of the strongest performing Customs Commands in the country.
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Headlines

NRC decries ceaseless attacks, vandalism on trains along Abuja- Kaduna rail corridor 

Funso OLOJO, Editor 
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has lamented the ceaseless attacks on its train operations along the  notorious Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor by suspected vandals and criminal elements.
In a statement by the Corporation,the latest incident occurred around Kilometer 177 along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor, where some unknown persons reportedly gathered along the rail track and began pelting stones at a moving train, leading to damage to the windscreen of the leading locomotive.
The NRC noted with deep concern that within the last two weeks, similar attacks have also been witnessed in other locations, including Gidan Busa/Sarki Gora Village, Kakau District, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State, among others, a development it feared is posing serious danger to railway operations, passengers, and operational personnel.
The NRC management disclosed that similar incidents have so far been recorded in more than six locations along the corridor, thereby worsening the already challenging and stressful operational conditions under which the Corporation continues to provide essential transport services to Nigerians.
The NRC stated that these persistent attacks not only endanger lives and damage critical railway infrastructure, but also constitute acts of economic sabotage capable of disrupting national transportation and undermining the huge investments of the Federal Government in the railway sector.
The Corporation however assured that despite the unfortunate development, train operations have continued with necessary safety precautions and strict operational vigilance by railway personnel who have continued to demonstrate commitment and professionalism in ensuring that passengers reach their destinations safely.
The Management of the Corporation specially acknowledged the efforts and support of security operatives working tirelessly with the NRC to secure railway corridors and safeguard passengers and railway assets despite the persistent attacks.
It said it is currently working closely with security agencies, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen surveillance along the corridor, identify the perpetrators, and bring them to justice.
The NRC therefore called on residents and communities along railway corridors to support efforts aimed at protecting railway infrastructure by reporting suspicious activities and discouraging criminal attacks on trains and railway installations.
NRC further expressed concerns that continuous attacks on railway operations could negatively affect smooth service delivery if urgent collective action is not taken to curb the menace.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation remains committed to ensuring safe, secure, and efficient train operations across the country and assures passengers that every necessary measure is being taken to safeguard lives and railway assets” the statement concluded.
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