SWDC secures rail licence to enhance logistics network, regional economy
The South West Development Commission (SWDC) has secured a provisional rail operating and track access licence from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to operate passenger and freight services across existing rail corridors in the South-West region.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the commission, Charles Akinola, disclosed this on Thursday while addressing journalists in Ibadan, Oyo State, describing the development as a major step toward improving regional connectivity and economic development.
Akinola explained that the licence would allow the commission to operate on both narrow and standard gauge rail networks across Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti states.
According to him, the initiative is part of the South-West Rail, Agro-Industrial and Logistics Platform aimed at improving logistics efficiency, strengthening agro-industrial activities and enhancing mobility within the region.
“This licence is not just a document. It is the green light to rebuild the South-West’s economic spine on rail. We are moving from plans to tracks, from talk to trains,” he said.
The SWDC boss noted that the project would focus on operating rail services on existing corridors rather than constructing new rail lines, adding that the programme would integrate freight systems, industrial parks, inland logistics hubs, cold-chain infrastructure and passenger mobility systems.
He stated that the South-West, despite being Nigeria’s largest economic bloc, continues to face logistics challenges, rising transportation costs and supply chain inefficiencies that increase the cost of doing business.
Akinola added that the initiative would reduce pressure on major highways, improve the movement of goods and people, strengthen connections between seaports and commercial hubs, and create opportunities for investment, agro-processing and job creation across the region.
