Transport integration can cut logistics costs — Opeifa

ABUJA — Nigeria can significantly reduce its high logistics costs by integrating rail, road and maritime transport systems, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, has said.

Opeifa said Nigeria’s economic competitiveness depended largely on an efficient multimodal transport network capable of moving goods seamlessly from ports and production centres to markets.

He spoke through his Special Adviser, Media, Yinka Aderibigbe, at the Transport Correspondents Association of Nigeria (TCAN) conference on Thursday.

Speaking on the theme, “Unlocking Nigeria’s Economic Growth Through Transportation Logistics,” Opeifa said rail, road, maritime, inland waterways and aviation should operate as interconnected components of one transport system rather than independently.

According to him, such integration would reduce the cost of doing business, improve market access for producers and strengthen Nigeria’s capacity to compete in regional and global trade.

He said transportation should be regarded as critical economic infrastructure, rather than merely a means of moving people and goods, noting that an efficient transport system was central to productivity, trade, industrial development and job creation.

Opeifa identified rail as a critical component of an integrated transport network because of its capacity to move large volumes of passengers and bulk cargo over long distances.

He said greater use of rail would ease pressure on highways, reduce logistics costs and facilitate the movement of agricultural produce, petroleum products, containers and other commodities across the country.

The NRC boss said the corporation was expanding its focus beyond passenger services by strengthening freight operations and improving connections between railway lines, seaports, inland dry ports, industrial centres and major economic corridors.

He said seamless connections between rail and other transport modes would improve cargo movement, reduce business costs and support broader economic growth.

On funding, Opeifa called for stronger public-private partnerships to bridge infrastructure and investment gaps in the sector.

“The government alone cannot provide all the infrastructure and investment required,” he said, urging greater private-sector participation in rolling stock, freight terminals, logistics hubs and other critical infrastructure.

He also advocated a regulatory framework that would promote efficiency, innovation and investment across the transportation sector.

Opeifa, however, stressed the need to protect railway infrastructure, warning that tracks, bridges, signalling systems and other railway assets represented major national investments that must be protected from vandalism and encroachment.

He said safeguarding the infrastructure required the collective efforts of government, security agencies, host communities and the travelling public.

The NRC chief executive also emphasised the need to keep transportation services affordable and accessible, noting that efficient mobility gives Nigerians better access to jobs, markets, education and other economic opportunities.

“Therefore, investment in transportation is ultimately an investment in the productivity and wellbeing of Nigerians,” he said.

Opeifa reaffirmed the NRC’s commitment to the Federal Government’s vision of developing a modern, integrated and efficient transportation system capable of supporting Nigeria’s economic aspirations.

He commended TCAN for providing a platform for engagement among policymakers, operators, investors, professionals and the media.

He also said the media had an important role to play in informing the public and sustaining constructive dialogue on transportation development, expressing optimism that increased investment, innovation, collaboration and effective policy implementation would help build a logistics system capable of unlocking Nigeria’s economic potential.