The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) has officially launched its cargo freight service on the Lagos-Ibadan Railway, marking a significant milestone for Nigeria’s logistics and transportation sector. This development follows the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s (NRC) approval of a three-year operational license for CCECC, effective from October 2024 to October 2027.
The inaugural freight journey began at the Ajuba Bonded Terminal, where goods were transported to Apapa Port in Lagos. Import containers were then loaded onto the train for the return trip to Ajuba, creating a seamless logistics cycle for both import and export operations. This service aims to alleviate road congestion and streamline cargo movement along Nigeria’s busiest port corridor.
Spanning 157 kilometers with an additional 7-kilometer branch line, the Lagos-Ibadan Railway was constructed by CCECC at a cost of $1.5 billion and launched in June 2021. Built to modern standards, it supports speeds of up to 150 km/h and connects Lagos, Nigeria’s economic hub, to Ibadan, a key industrial city.
CCECC’s freight operations represent Nigeria’s first standard-gauge rail freight service, providing businesses with a reliable and cost-effective logistics solution while boosting economic activity along the corridor. By March 2024, the railway had already transported over 2 million passengers and is now expanding its impact through cargo services.
