Opeifa Advocates Integrated Transport for Nigeria's Economy

Dr Kayode Opeifa, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), spoke at the BusinessDay Mobility and Logistics Conference in Lagos, addressing the theme “Scaling the Future: Building a Resilient and Efficient Mobility and Logistics Ecosystem in Nigeria.” He identified an integrated transportation and logistics system as essential for enhancing Nigeria's economic resilience and competitiveness. Opeifa pointed out that inefficiencies in the transportation network lead to congestion, increased logistics costs, delayed deliveries, reduced productivity, and higher prices for goods and services.

Dr Obiora Madu, Director-General of the Africa Centre for Supply Chain, warned that small-scale operators would struggle without effective integration in transportation and logistics networks, estimating that Nigeria loses over N3.6 trillion due to inefficiencies in this sector. Ifeanyi Onwuachu, Managing Director of JanksMay Global Services Ltd., echoed concerns about significant infrastructure deficits negatively impacting small-scale logistics operators.