The Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved a $45.3 million contract for the feasibility study and engineering design of a rail route linking four seaports in Nigeria’s western region Deep Sea Port, Tin Can Seaport, Apapa Seaport, and Lekki Seaport to the hinterlands.
The Minister of Transportation, Saidu Alkali, disclosed this on Tuesday during the Global Business Report on Arise News, where a clip of his remarks was aired.
The Guardian obtained the information from the broadcast, noting that the approval was granted during the FEC meeting on Monday, February 3, 2025.
Alkali explained that the proposed rail alignment will run from Badagry Deep Sea Port to Tin Can Seaport, Apapa Seaport, Lekki Seaport, Ijebu-Ode, and Kajola, where it will connect to the Lagos-Kano-Maradi Railway Modernization Project.
The goal, he said, is to integrate the western seaports into the national rail network to boost freight movement and economic growth.
“The Federal Executive Council has granted approval for detailed feasibility studies and the engineering design of a proposed route alignment from Badagry Deep Sea Port to Tin Can Seaport, from Tin Can to Apapa Seaport, from Apapa Seaport to Lekki Seaport, and then to Ijebu-Ode and Kajola. At Kajola, it will connect to the Lagos-Kano-Maradi Railway Modernization Project.
“The goal is to link the western ports to hinterland cities,” Alkali stated. “The contract was awarded at a cost of $45.3 million.”
The minister highlighted that, currently, only Apapa Port is connected to the rail network, with a standard gauge track inside the APMT Terminal used for freight movement between Lagos and Ibadan. A rehabilitated narrow-gauge railway is also operational for cargo transportation from Lagos to Kano.
He further emphasized that linking all four western seaports to the hinterlands would significantly contribute to GDP growth and stimulate economic activity.
During a press briefing following the Federal Executive Council meeting on Monday, Minister of Transportation Sa’idu Alkali provided details about an upcoming project.
He indicated that this initiative will connect the Badagry Deep Seaport to Tincan, link Tincan to Apapa, and establish connections from the Lekki Seaport to Ijebu-Ode, as well as extending to Kajola and the Lagos-Kano-Maradi railway project.Tap Here To Read Full Details
As stated by Alkali, the goal of this initiative is to bolster economic development by connecting western ports with the inland regions, which will subsequently boost GDP and stimulate economic activity.
He said, “You are you all aware transportation is one of the key priority areas of President Tinubu’s administration, and it is an enabler of economic growth.
So the Federal Executive Council has granted approval for a detailed feasibility studies and engineering design of a proposed route alignment from Badagry Deep Seaport to Tincan, Tincan to Apapa, Lekki Seaport to Ijebu-Ode and to Kajola. It is at Kajola it will connect with the Lagos to Kano to Maradi Railway Modernization project.
“The idea is to link the western port to the hinterland. As it is, we have only Apapa Port that is linked with a red line.
We have a standard gauge inter APMT terminal in Apapa, which we are using for freight from Lagos to Ibadan and we have the old narrow gauge that was rehabilitated, we have put it into use for freight from Lagos to Kano.
“So by the time we are able to link all the four seaports at the Western corridor to the hinterland, it will further grow our GDP and enhance our economic activity. The contract was awarded at the cost of $45,303,000.”
