The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has awarded a three-year freight services license to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCEC
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has awarded a three-year freight services license to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the Lagos-Ibadan standard-gauge railway, making CCECC the first company authorized to operate standard-gauge rail freight in Nigeria.
Lagos-Ibadan Railway
The Lagos-Ibadan Railway, constructed by CCECC, connects Lagos, Nigeria’s economic center, with Ibadan, a major industrial hub. The 157-kilometer main line, complemented by a 7-kilometer branch line, meets modern railway standards with speeds up to 150 km/h. Operational since June 2021, the railway has safely transported over two million passengers and operated for 1,000 days by early 2024.
The railway provides Africa’s most populous country with an affordable and safe mode of transportation. It not only facilitates people’s travel, but also helps improve the efficiency of port and inland cargo transportation.
Effective from October 14, 2024, to October 13, 2027, this license marks a milestone in the country’s rail sector, signifying the NRC’s commitment to expanding Nigeria’s rail transport capacity, particularly for cargo, to reduce road congestion and lower transport costs.
CCECC’s involvement extends beyond construction; they’ve provided technical support, workforce training, and job creation, enhancing Nigeria’s local expertise in rail management. The new freight license is expected to drive economic growth along the Lagos-Ibadan corridor by offering businesses a cost-effective logistics solution, increasing the railway’s economic impact.