We aim to bridge inland market logistical gaps to allow businesses to focus on growth – Ajijola

Nigeria’s inland logistics market has enormous potential because trade cannot end at the seaport. While Africa’s largest Black nation, Nigeria, possesses huge prospects, challenges such as congestion, high transport costs and delays make that journey expensive. BILAL AJIJOLA, Chief Executive Officer of TRÏNŪ Bonded Warehouse, in this interview, shares that logistics is one of the most strategic enablers of economic growth.

He also talked about how TRÏNŪ Bonded Warehouse plans to meet growing market demand with world-class infrastructure built for precision, speed and compliance to serve not only the Northern Nigerian market but also the African continent. SEYI JOHN SALAU brings an excerpt:

What is your assessment of the inland logistics market opportunity in Nigeria? Can you speak to the potential size and growth outlook for the sector?

Nigeria’s inland logistics market has enormous potential because trade cannot end at the seaport; goods must reach the businesses and consumers who need them. Today, congestion, high transport costs and delays make that journey expensive. We see a major opportunity to bring logistics closer to the market.

At TRÏNŪ, our goal is to make Abuja a strategic inland trade hub, helping importers move goods closer to their customers faster, more efficiently and at a lower overall cost.

As Nigeria’s trade and industrial activity grow, so will the demand for modern warehousing, bonded facilities and reliable transportation. The opportunity is significant, and we believe the future belongs to logistics providers who make trade simpler, more cost-effective, faster and more accessible for everyone.

The inland logistics industry in Nigeria today has several operators. Tell us what the vision is behind setting up the TRÏNŪ Bonded Warehouse.

The vision behind TRÏNŪ is simple: to bring trade closer to the people and businesses that need it. We recognised that many importers in Abuja and Northern Nigeria depend heavily on seaside operations, which often means additional transport costs, delays and logistical challenges.

We established TRÏNŪ to bridge that gap by bringing bonded warehousing and customs-related logistics closer to the inland market. Our goal is to make the movement of goods simpler, faster and more cost-effective, while helping businesses save time, reduce costs and focus on growth.

Ultimately, we want TRÏNŪ to become a trusted gateway for trade across Northern Nigeria.

What innovation and ideas are you bringing to the space, and how will you overcome the myriad of challenges that have plagued the sector?

At TRÏNŪ, we believe logistics should be driven by technology, transparency and efficiency. We plan to use digital cargo tracking, real-time shipment updates, automated inventory management and data-driven planning to give importers better visibility and control over their goods. By coordinating customs processes, warehousing and transportation on one platform, we aim to reduce unnecessary delays, storage costs and avoidable trips.

Our goal is to connect the entire journey—from seaside operations to the customer’s doorstep—so clients know where their cargo is, what it costs and when it will arrive. We understand the challenges of infrastructure, bureaucracy and rising operating costs. Our approach is to build strong partnerships, use technology to eliminate inefficiencies and scale operations intelligently.

For us, innovation is not just about moving cargo; it is about helping our clients move their businesses forward at a lower cost.

In practical terms, who specifically was this facility built for, and how will it transform the inland logistics landscape across Northern Nigeria?

TRÏNŪ was built for importers, traders, manufacturers, clearing agents and SMEs who serve Abuja and Northern Nigeria but often face high transport costs, delays and logistical bottlenecks getting their goods inland.

By bringing bonded warehousing closer to these businesses, we can help reduce unnecessary movement, improve cargo access and make the supply chain more predictable. With integrated customs processes, secure storage, digital tracking and coordinated transportation, we aim to move goods from sea-side operations to our facility and ultimately to our clients’ doorsteps more efficiently.

Our bigger vision is to make Abuja a strategic inland trade hub, reduce the dependence on distant logistics facilities and create new opportunities for businesses across Northern Nigeria. When goods move more efficiently, businesses save money, markets grow, and consumers benefit.

What is the significance of this project to infrastructure and trade in Nigeria?

The significance of TRÏNŪ is that it brings investment and modern trade infrastructure into a part of the country that has enormous commercial potential. A strong economy needs more than ports; it needs the facilities, systems and connections that allow goods to reach every corner of the country efficiently.

We commend the Federal Government, the Nigeria Customs Service under the leadership of the Comptroller-General, and Trade Modernisation Project Limited, led by its Chairman and Managing Director, for their efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s trade ecosystem and modernise customs operations.

These efforts create opportunities for private-sector investment and innovation. At TRÏNŪ, we want to complement that progress by building infrastructure that makes trade more accessible, efficient and cost-effective. We see TRÏNŪ as part of that wider progress: a privately driven investment that can support regional commerce, encourage further investment and create opportunities for local businesses and employment.

Our ambition is to help ensure that where a business operates in Nigeria does not limit its ability to participate in national and international trade.

You recently commissioned a customs-controlled bonded warehouse in Kuje, Abuja; tell us what informed your decision to provide services to that Northern Nigeria market. What does the future hold for businesses in that region of the country?

We saw a market with enormous potential that deserved greater investment in modern trade infrastructure. Northern Nigeria is not just a consumer market; it is a strategic gateway connecting Nigeria to landlocked neighbours such as Niger and Chad, with wider opportunities to reach markets across the African continent.

With the right infrastructure, Abuja can become an important centre for cargo distribution, regional trade and cross-border commerce. TRÏNŪ is positioned to support that opportunity by providing businesses with bonded warehousing and coordinated logistics closer to their markets.

I believe the future holds significant opportunities for importers, manufacturers, agricultural businesses and young entrepreneurs across the region. As trade infrastructure improves, businesses can access goods more efficiently, expand their reach and compete more effectively. We are not just investing in Northern Nigeria as it is today; we are investing in what it can become: a major hub for trade between Nigeria and the wider African market.

We are not just investing in Northern Nigeria as it is today; we are investing in what it can become: a major hub for trade between Nigeria and the wider African market.

How much in trade do you project this facility can facilitate in Nigeria in the coming years?

We see the potential to facilitate billions of naira in trade annually as operations scale. Our focus is on building capacity, attracting more importers and expanding our cargo-handling and logistics partnerships. In the coming years, we aim to grow from serving businesses in Abuja and Northern Nigeria to supporting wider regional trade, including opportunities across neighbouring African markets.

The actual volume will depend on demand, facility capacity and the pace of expansion. For us, success is not just the value of goods passing through TRÏNŪ; it is the number of businesses we help grow, the costs we help them save and the opportunities we create through more efficient trade.

From your knowledge in this industry so far, how has the company’s solution been an enabler in helping businesses and operators in the field achieve their purpose?

One thing we have learnt is that businesses do not just need their goods cleared; they need certainty, visibility and control over the entire process. That is what TRÏNŪ is designed to provide. By bringing bonded storage and logistics coordination closer to importers in Abuja and Northern Nigeria, we help address the distance, delays and additional costs that can make trade difficult.

Our model also creates opportunities for clearing agents, transporters and other logistics operators to work together more efficiently. Ultimately, we want our clients to spend less time worrying about moving their cargo and more time focusing on selling, expanding and growing their businesses. When we make trade easier for our clients, we help their businesses move forward.

What have been your greatest challenges doing business in Nigeria, and what are the possible solutions?

Like any developing market, Nigeria presents challenges, particularly around infrastructure, operating costs, coordination across the supply chain and access to efficient logistics services.

In our industry, even small delays can have financial implications for businesses. We see these challenges as opportunities to innovate. Better digital integration, stronger collaboration between the private sector and government, improved infrastructure and more transparent processes can make a significant difference.

At TRÏNŪ, we are focused on what we can control: investing in efficient systems, building reliable partnerships and using technology to minimise avoidable costs and delays. Our philosophy is simple: rather than waiting for the business environment to become perfect, we are building solutions that help businesses operate better within it.

What plans is your company putting in place to create more opportunities for the development of human capital in Nigeria?

At TRÏNŪ, we believe infrastructure is only as valuable as the people who operate it. Our growth will create opportunities for Nigerians in warehousing, customs operations, transportation, technology, administration and supply chain management.

We intend to invest in practical training, mentorship and on-the-job learning, particularly for young Nigerians looking to build careers in logistics and international trade. We also see opportunities to work with experienced industry professionals and relevant institutions to develop the skills needed for a modern logistics sector.

Beyond direct employment, our aim is to support the wider ecosystem of local transporters, clearing agents, suppliers and small businesses that will grow alongside us. For us, building TRÏNŪ is not just about moving goods; it is about developing the people and skills that will move Nigeria’s trade sector forward.