The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), has said it moved a total of 159,130 tonnes of goods across its standard and narrow-gauge lines in the second quarter of 2025.
According to data obtained by Shippingposition, an online maritime platform, from the Corporation’s deputy director of marketing and Commercial, Yemi Odunowo, the standard gauge accounted for the bulk of operations, totalling 146,120 tonnes.
According to the report, Cement topped the list with 35,880 tonnes. In comparison, import and export (I&E) containers made up 85,600 tonnes, and other commodities accounted for 24,640 tonnes, all of which were moved between Lagos and Ibadan.
On the narrow-gauge side, Odunowo said 13,010 tonnes were lifted, comprising 34,760 tonnes of I&E containers moved between Ebutemeta, Iddo, Ijoko, and APMT, as well as 2,250 tonnes of cement moved to Oshogbo and Ilorin.
He further revealed that, in terms of frequency, the standard gauge recorded 26 trips for cement, 98 for I&E containers, and 17 for ENL cargoes, while the narrow gauge recorded 49 trips for containers and five for cement.
While noting that the performance demonstrates rail’s growing relevance in cargo evacuation from Lagos ports, Odunowo lamented the challenges still crippling operations. According to him, the Corporation is grappling with shortages of locomotives and wagons, severely limiting the number of trips that can be made despite the high demand from shippers.
He explained that many freight customers are willing to move more cargo by rail, but the Corporation is constrained by inadequate rolling stock. “We need more locomotives and spares for both locomotives and wagons, and procuring additional wagons is a pressing requirement,” he said.
Odunowo also raised an alarm over vandalism of railway infrastructure, describing it as a recurring nightmare for the agency. He disclosed that vital track fittings such as clips, rails, and sleepers have been stolen in several locations, compromising safety and causing delays. “The cost of replacing vandalised track furniture is enormous, and each incident disrupts cargo schedules, making it harder for us to sustain shippers’ confidence,” he said.
Adding to the woes, Odunowo pointed out that the heavy rains in recent weeks have raised fresh concerns about track stability, with flooded sections and weakened sleepers threatening service reliability.
He said the NRC has been carrying out frequent inspections, but in some cases, services had to be suspended for safety reasons.
