Get Guardian on GooglePort users reduced their patronage of the railway to move cargo as the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) recorded a 24.7 per cent decline in cargo movement in September despite transporting a total freight volume of 169,060 in the third quarter of 2026.
According to the NRC operational data between July and September made available by the Deputy Director of Marketing and Commercial, Yemi Odunowo, freight activity rose from 60,440 in July to 61,980 in August.
Freight movement suffered a sharp setback in September, with 46,640 recorded, representing a decline of 15,340 in cargo volume within one month.
The September freight figure represented a 24.7 per cent decline from August and was approximately 22.8 per cent below the quarter’s monthly peak of 61,980 recorded in August.
It was also the lowest monthly freight volume recorded during the three months.
A further breakdown of the figures showed that standard-gauge freight services accounted for 166,180, or approximately 98.3 per cent, of the total 169,060 freight volume recorded during the quarter, while narrow-gauge freight services contributed the remaining 2,880, all of which was recorded in July.
No narrow-gauge freight movement was recorded in August and September, according to the data.
Standard-gauge freight volume stood at 57,560 in July, increased to 61,980 in August and subsequently dropped to 46,640 in September.
Further analysis of the figures showed that performance varied across the different freight categories, with some services recording improvements in September while others suffered considerable declines.
Containers recorded the highest quarterly freight volume among the listed standard-gauge freight categories, with 41,840 over the three months.
Its volume stood at 14,280 in July, declined to 13,200 in August and rose to 14,360 in September, representing an increase of approximately 8.8 per cent over the preceding month.
CCECC Track Access recorded a total of 26,640 during the quarter, with its monthly volume rising gradually from 8,800 in July to 8,880 in August and 8,960 in September.
However, other categories recorded weaker results. Bueno Cement posted a quarterly volume of 37,260, comprising 13,800 in July, 12,420 in August and 11,040 in September. Its September performance represented a decline of approximately 11.1 per cent compared with August.
Bueno Gypsum recorded 13,260 during the quarter, with monthly volumes of 4,080 in July, 6,420 in August and 2,760 in September. The September figure was approximately 57 per cent lower than the preceding month.
Eromma recorded a total of 12,120 over the three months, with volumes of 3,920 in July, 4,440 in August and 3,760 in September. Starlink accounted for 8,440, while Depotter recorded 6,000 during the quarter.
The data also showed that standard-gauge freight movement under the APMT traffic section totalled 115,660 during the quarter, comprising 39,680 in July, 43,140 in August and 32,840 in September.
The September figure represented a decline of approximately 23.9 per cent from August, broadly reflecting the downturn recorded in the wider freight segment.
Within the APMT section, Ajuba Containers accounted for 41,840 during the quarter, while CCECC Track Access contributed 26,640. Bueno Gypsum recorded 13,260, while Eromma accounted for 12,120.
