Business

Train passengers stranded, NRC loses millions as unions strike

Published

4 years ago

November 19, 2021

The three-day warning strike embarked upon by workers of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has grounded train services across the country.

Passengers for the Abuja-Kaduna train services; Lagos-Ibadan, among others, were stranded on Thursday as railway unions down tools to press home their demands for improved welfare.

The Nigerian Union of Railway Workers (NUR) and the Senior Staff Association (SSA) had jointly issued a statement saying the warning strike, which commenced yesterday will end on Saturday.

Officials of the unions said the ongoing strike action was to send a warning signal to the right quarters to heed their demands for improved welfare and standard condition of service.

They said their take-home pay was bad and needed an upward review. The unions said failure to address their grievances would be followed by protracted strike action.

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Daily Trust reports that rising insecurity has recently made trains the preferred choice of transportation for many Nigerians especially from Abuja to Kaduna, Lagos to Ibadan, among others.

There are concerns that the corporation would lose millions of naira because of the strike.

How negotiations collapsed

The railway unions and the management of NRC had engaged in a series of meetings to avert the strike without reaching an agreement. Even the last week’s meeting with the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, was deadlocked, it was learnt.

Daily Trust observed that the Abuja-Kaduna train service was grounded as scores of passengers caught unaware were stranded at the Idu Train Station in the FCT. Many of them had to look for alternatives.

“I am not aware of the strike,” said Olayinka Joseph, a passenger. “I just came to the station to travel to Kaduna and discovered the railway staff were not working,” she said.

A Zaria-bound Ibrahim Audu was also frustrated.

“I took a taxi and paid N1, 500 to the train station but all the offices have been locked. It means I will spend another N2, 000 or more to go to the park in Jabi to begin to look for a vehicle to Kaduna,” he said.

Another passenger, Hassan Ismaila, said he would cancel his trip till Sunday when the staff would have resumed. He also said the NRC unions should learn how to publicise their strike well ahead of time so that passengers could be better informed.

“I prefer the Abuja-Kaduna train to cars because of the insecurity along the road,” Halima Ibrahim, who frequents the route, said.

“Honestly, it is too early for the railway workers to join other unions who believe a strike is the only option to press home their demands,” she said.

“Conversely, it means the government is not serious by allowing simple issues to degenerate to self-help. Remember, railway revitalisation is one of the showcase projects of this administration; they should take it seriously,” she said.

In Lagos, the protesting workers on Thursday shut the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station and other train services. The workers sang solidarity songs bearing placards reading, ‘Good salaries bring better results, bad salaries kill morale’; ‘Railway workers’ salaries least under the FMOT – (Federal Ministry of Transport)’, among others.

“Thousands of people who rely on rail transportation would arrive at our places of work very late,” Said Shakiru Ma’aruf.

“The train helps a lot and to a greater extent reduce the pressure on the roads occasioned by traffic gridlock. I am not happy those concerned allowed this to happen,” another passenger, Helen John, said.

General Secretary NUR, Comrade Segun Esan, said, “When you value the whole of the infrastructures, the whole of the assets in train service, starting from the locomotive, the coaches or the locomotive and the wagons, it is clearly over and above N2.5bn and the driver you are asking to drive such equipment is being paid a paltry amount as low and as so unbelievable as N26, 000, N30, 000, N36, 000 as the case may be! It doesn’t augur well.”

Daily Trust reports that the minimum wage in Nigeria is N30,000 and many wondered why NRC workers would be paid below that if the claim by the general secretary is true.

NRC may lose N100m

Meanwhile, the strike action will cost the NRC huge sums in economic losses daily. Checks by our correspondent showed that the NRC might lose over N57 million in the three days the strike action will last on the Abuja-Kaduna train service.

This paper estimated that it may lose up to N30m in the Lagos axis (Lagos-Ibadan and the intra-city train services) and about N13m on the Itakpe-Warri rail service.

The NRC will lose about N19m daily from its almost 5,000 daily passenger traffic on the Abuja-Kaduna corridor except on Wednesdays when it operates limited scheduled services due to maintenance programmes on the locomotives.

The NRC runs 12 coaches on the corridor using two Diesel Multiple Units (DMU) purposely for the express services. It operates up to eight trips on the corridor: four from Abuja and four from Kaduna. The economy coaches carry up to 88 passengers whilst the business class coaches carry up to 56 passengers.

The NRC charges N2, 600 per seat for the economy class (N3, 000 for express service) and N5, 000 for business class.

Cumulatively, it makes between N15m to N19m depending on the passenger traffic.

The in-train food vendors who make over N100, 000 daily would also lose while the about 100 cabs operating at the Idu Station alone could lose N1m daily.

The big losers apart from NRC would be the cab operators in Idu, Kubwa and Rigasa train stations which witness the largest traffic on the corridor.

Small businesses dealing in food vending, POS services, snacks, drinks and other small businesses will be counting losses without succour. Their potential losses could not be exactly established.

For the Lagos axis, the NRC would be losing an estimate of about N10m daily on the Lagos-Ibadan axis due to the strike embarked upon by railway workers.

In Lagos district where the NRC operates the newly launched Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge, the Lagos-Ogun intercity train services as well as the evacuation of cargoes from the port, the corporation is estimated to be losing over N10m daily. This is calculated on the estimated number of passengers on the services.

For the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service (LITS), about 1,000 passengers use the train daily and at an average of N2, 600 per passenger on the Economy Coach, NRC would lose N2.6m. For the intercity from Lagos to Ijoko, NRC conveys over 10,000 daily and at an N460 flat rate, it loses N5m daily.

We’re engaging unions – NRC

The Manager of the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service, Mr Pascal Nnorli, said the strike has crippled all train activities adding that the NRC management will further engage the unions to resolve the matter.

He also indicated that the matter might also involve the National Salaries, Wages and Income Commission, which has the constitutional power to review the work conditions of federal government workers.

Daily Trust

Related Topics:Featured millions NRC passengers stranded strike train unions

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Jetour set to ignite Lagos with four-day automotive experience

Published

12 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Jetour set to ignite Lagos with four-day automotive experience

Lovers of sophisticated and elegant SUVs in Lagos are about to witness a combination of automotive engineering and urban lifestyle as Jetour Nigeria announces the hosting of a flagship event, “The Jetour Experience,” a four-day immersive festival designed to redefine how Nigerians interact with the road.

From April 16 to 19, 2026, The Podium in Lekki, Lagos, will be transformed into a high-energy hub where sleek design meets high-octane entertainment. This is not just a standard car show; it’s a curated lifestyle destination, says the organisers in a statement.

The four-day event is said to promise a fusion of horsepower, high fashion, and plenty of fun.

Tagged “The Jetour Experience,” the four-day extravaganza is not just about gleaming chrome and leather seats; it is a high-octane celebration aimed at blurring the lines between mobility and entertainment.

Specifically, it stated that the exhibition would feature test drives, virtual reality gaming, fitness sessions, and interactive activities with branded giveaways.

The statement added that the arena would buzz with entertainment, including contests and interactive games, giving guests the chance to win exclusive branded gifts and prizes.

In a massive show of force, Jetour says it is partnering with its seven prestigious accredited dealers—Elizade Nigeria Limited, New Era Autovehicle Services Limited, Kojo Motors, R.T. Briscoe, Tab Autos Limited, Mandilas Motors, and Germaine Auto Centre —to bring their full fleet to the public.

Whether you are an eco-conscious commuter or an off-road adventurer, the lineup has something for everyone, according to a statement by the Jetour Nigeria.

The Urban Explorers: X50 and X70

The Sophisticates: X70 Plus and X90 Plus

The Eco-Warriors: X70 PHEV and T2 PHEV (Plug-in Hybrids)

The Icons: The rugged T2 and the razor-sharp Dashing

Jetour is blurring the lines between mobility and entertainment. Running daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, the event promises a packed itinerary designed to keep the adrenaline pumping.

Visitors will also push limits during test drives, explore virtual reality (VR) gaming such as foosball, and take part in curated fitness sessions.

In a creative masterstroke, the grand finale will feature a car runway fashion show. Attendees can expect a visual feast where automotive engineering meets sartorial elegance, reinforcing the idea that a Jetour is not just a vehicle but a fashion statement.

The firm stated, “Beyond the glitz, the event maintains a strong focus on safety. A dedicated panel discussion featuring stakeholders and officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will explore road safety, tech-driven security, and the future of motoring in Nigeria.

“With its blend of adrenaline, artistry, and advocacy, Jetour Nigeria isn’t just hosting an event; it is creating a destination.”

Business

Imported Petrol 12% Cheaper Than Dangote Fuel – World Bank

Published

23 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Imported Petrol 12% Cheaper Than Dangote Fuel – World Bank

The World Bank has revealed that imported Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) is currently about 12 per cent cheaper than petrol supplied by the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, raising concerns over pricing distortions and rising inflationary pressures in Nigeria’s economy.

The disclosure was contained in the Bank’s latest Nigeria Development Update, which highlighted widening gaps between import parity prices and locally refined fuel costs amid volatile global oil market conditions. According to the report, Dangote refinery’s ex-depot price stood at about ₦1,275 per litre as of March 2026, compared to an estimated ₦1,122 per litre for imported petrol, creating a significant price advantage for imports.

Despite the report, Dangote refinery has denied any recent increase in petrol prices, maintaining that its current pricing structure remains unchanged. A source within the company stated that the gantry price is fixed at ₦1,200 per litre, while the coastal price stands at ₦1,153 per litre, stressing that no new pricing has been introduced. The refinery reiterated its commitment to ensuring steady fuel supply across Nigeria and other African markets, positioning itself as a stabilising force in the downstream sector.

The World Bank noted that the price disparity persists even as Dangote refinery has become a dominant supplier of petrol in Nigeria, particularly following the halt in fuel import licences earlier in 2026. According to analysts, this situation reflects structural inefficiencies in the domestic fuel market, including foreign exchange pressures, logistics costs, and crude pricing mechanisms.

The report warned that rising global crude oil prices—driven by geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East—could worsen inflationary pressures if sustained. It projected that an increase in oil prices to about $80 per barrel could add roughly 3.1 percentage points to Nigeria’s headline inflation, assuming full pass-through to domestic fuel prices.

The Bank explained that energy costs serve as a major inflation transmission channel, with transport alone accounting for about 10.1 per cent of Nigeria’s Consumer Price Index (CPI). Higher fuel prices, therefore, have a multiplier effect, increasing costs across transportation, food distribution, and other sectors of the economy.

Beyond fuel, the report highlighted additional risks from rising global food and fertiliser prices, which are also being influenced by the same geopolitical disruptions affecting oil markets. This combination, the Bank warned, could further strain household incomes and worsen cost-of-living pressures.

Speaking during the report presentation in Abuja, the World Bank Country Director for Nigeria, Mathew Verghis, acknowledged improvements in Nigeria’s macroeconomic outlook through 2025 and early 2026, driven by ongoing reforms. However, he cautioned that external shocks remain a major threat to price stability, particularly through rising energy and shipping costs.

Similarly, the World Bank’s Lead Economist for Nigeria, Fiseha Haile, noted that increases in petrol prices have already filtered through transport and logistics chains, amplifying cost pressures across multiple sectors. He also pointed to ongoing vulnerabilities, including volatile global financing conditions and weaker capital inflows, despite improvements in Nigeria’s external reserves and exchange rate reforms.

Meanwhile, global oil prices have recently declined sharply following a ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran, easing immediate supply concerns. Benchmark Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate crude recorded their steepest one-day drops since 2020, falling to around $93 per barrel after the announcement by Donald Trump that both countries had agreed to a temporary truce and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite this easing, the World Bank maintained that Nigeria’s economy remains highly exposed to global oil market volatility, warning that sustained uncertainties could continue to pressure inflation, fuel prices, and household welfare in the months ahead.

Imported Petrol 12% Cheaper Than Dangote Fuel – World Bank

Business

Oil Prices Drop 14% as Bonny Light Falls to $94.41 on US-Iran Ceasefire

Published

23 hours ago

April 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Oil Prices Drop 14% as Bonny Light Falls to $94.41 on US-Iran Ceasefire

The price of Nigeria’s Bonny Light crude has plunged by 14.2 per cent to $94.41 per barrel, down from $110 per barrel recorded earlier in the week, following the announcement of a two-week ceasefire by Donald Trump between the United States and Iran.

The sharp decline reflects easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East after Iran signalled readiness to guarantee safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor that handles a significant share of global crude shipments. The development has reduced fears of supply disruptions that had previously driven oil prices above the $100 mark.

Global benchmarks also recorded notable declines, with Brent crude falling to about $94 per barrel from around $100, while West Texas Intermediate (WTI) dropped significantly as traders reacted to improved supply outlook and reduced risk premiums. Market analysts describe the trend as a “geopolitical relief drop”, driven by renewed confidence in oil supply stability.

In addition, reports indicate that the United States has relaxed sanctions on Iranian and Russian oil exports, allowing more crude to flow into the global market. This move has further contributed to downward pressure on prices by increasing supply at a time when demand growth remains moderate.