ABUJA — The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is targeting a four-fold increase in rail freight movement in 2026 as it revives key transport corridors to reduce highway congestion, cut logistics costs, and reshape the national economy.
In an exclusive interview, the NRC Managing Director highlighted the strategic importance of the Lagos-Kano and Port Harcourt–Aba–Enugu–Maiduguri lines, noting that manufacturers, state governments, and agribusinesses are already lined up to return bulk cargo to rail once operations are stabilized.
Key Plans & Projections:
· The Lagos-Kano corridor is expected to take thousands of heavy trucks off major highways.
· States like Niger, Kaduna, and Kwara are waiting to move agricultural produce southward via rail.
· Specialized wagons for minerals, cattle, dairy, and perishables are ready to support diverse cargo needs.
· The Port Harcourt–Aba axis will see expansion and modernization in 2026.
The NRC chief also addressed pricing barriers at ports, where double-handling charges currently discourage shippers from choosing rail over trucks.
“Gradually, the rail is getting to a position where it is taking its rightful place in the Nigerian economy,” he stated, citing recent National Bureau of Statistics reports that highlight rail’s growing contribution to GDP.
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Disclaimer: This report is based on an interview with the NRC Managing Director. Projections are subject to operational and funding variables.
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