Joyce Mmereole Okoli
In a renewed effort to boost trade efficiency and reduce congestion at Nigeria’s busiest seaport, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Apapa Area Command, has convened key stakeholders to strengthen the use of rail transportation for cargo evacuation.
The meeting, held Wednesday in Lagos, brought together representatives of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), freight forwarders, clearing agents, importers and exporters associations, port regulators, and terminal operators.
The focus was on exploring ways to deepen the adoption of rail as a viable alternative to road transport for moving goods out of the port.
Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, the Customs Area Controller for Apapa Port, said the initiative aligns with the directive of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi, to improve trade logistics through multimodal transport systems.
“Rail has been in operation for quite a while. We want to fine-tune the process to improve our trade objectives,” Olomu said. “When we have a seamless trade process, it will benefit our stakeholders who are here today.”
He praised the active participation of stakeholders, calling it a “confidence booster” that underscores their shared commitment to trade facilitation.
Representing the NRC, Head of Operations Mr. Akin Oshinowo reaffirmed the agency’s longstanding collaboration with Customs.
“We have always found a willing partner in the Comptroller and his men, which forms part of the Standard Operating Procedure established years ago,” he said. “Today’s discussion aligns with the NRC’s objectives and supports the renewed hope agenda for rail transportation in Nigeria.”
Participants at the forum welcomed the initiative, citing its potential to reduce import costs, ease port gridlock, and enhance overall cargo distribution efficiency.
Dr. Osita Chukwu, National Coordinator of the Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers & Exporters Coalition, expressed hope that the rail integration would not be limited to Lagos.
“With what the government is doing, we hope it will not be limited to just one region but extended across the entire country, as is the case elsewhere,” he said.
The meeting also featured an interactive session where stakeholders discussed existing challenges in rail cargo movement and proposed actionable solutions to improve service delivery and coordination.