NRC announces free train rides, extra trips for Sallah special 

Getting home for the holidays just got a whole lot easier as the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has rolled out its special Sallah train schedule, deploying extra trips and increasing capacity to ensure Nigerians can celebrate Eid-el-Fitr with their loved ones without the usual travel stress.

From the bustling Lagos-Ibadan corridor to the scenic Warri-Itakpe route, the NRC is stepping up its game to handle the festive surge.

Its key highlights of the Sallah schedule as contained in its latest statement are as follows:

* Lagos–Ibadan (LITS): On Thursday, March 19, the service will run three special trips.

* From Lagos: 7:40 a.m., 1:40 p.m., and 4:00 p.m.

* From Ibadan: 8:00 a.m., 10:50 a.m., and 4:30 p.m.

* Abuja–Kaduna (AKTS): To keep the capital connected, the NRC is boosting frequency. After two trips on Thursday, the corridor will move to three trips daily from Friday, March 20, through Monday, March 23.

* Warri–Itakpe (WITS): This route maintains its thrice-weekly flow.

* Warri to Itakpe: Sundays, Tuesdays, and Fridays (8:00 a.m.).

* Itakpe to Warri: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays (12:00 p.m.).

* Eastern Narrow Gauge: The Port Harcourt–Aba service remains fully operational on its regular schedule, ensuring the South-East stays moving.

These details are contained in a statement signed by the NRC Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu.

Osun free rides

In a heart-warming partnership, the NRC and the Osun State Government are bringing back the Imole Special Train.

Indigenes of Osun State can travel from Iddo Station in Lagos to Osogbo free of charge. This initiative, fully sponsored by the state, aims to ease the financial burden on families during the festive season.

“This special arrangement is designed to accommodate increased passenger traffic… ensuring a safe, reliable, and efficient rail transport service,” stated Callistus Unyimadu, NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer.

Tips for travellers 

To ensure your trip is as smooth as the tracks, the NRC recommends:

* Arrive Early: Be at the station well ahead of your departure time.

* Verify Tickets: Ensure you follow all official ticketing and security protocols.

* Check the Date: Remember that the Lagos-Ibadan special three-trip schedule is for March 19 only before reverting to normal service.

Oil Prices Hit $110 as Iran Strikes Saudi, UAE, Qatar Energy Sites

Global oil prices have surged above $110 per barrel following a major escalation in the Middle East, as Iran launched missile strikes targeting critical energy infrastructure across Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.

The attacks were carried out in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on the strategic South Pars gas field—the world’s largest natural gas field—triggering a rapid escalation that has rattled global energy markets and heightened fears of supply disruptions.

Iran’s missile barrage targeted key oil and gas installations across the Gulf. In Saudi Arabia, authorities confirmed that multiple ballistic missiles aimed at Riyadh were successfully intercepted, preventing damage to vital infrastructure.

Similarly, the UAE said its air defence systems in Abu Dhabi neutralized incoming threats aimed at the crucial Habshan gas facility and Bab oil field, averting what could have been significant disruptions to oil production.

However, Qatar suffered notable damage after a missile strike hit Ras Laffan, a major hub for liquefied natural gas exports. Authorities reported “extensive damage” to parts of the facility, forcing partial shutdowns and raising concerns about global LNG supply.

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The escalation has sent shockwaves through the global oil market, with Brent crude climbing sharply amid fears that instability in the Gulf could disrupt exports from one of the world’s most critical energy-producing regions.

Analysts have also raised alarms over the security of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital chokepoint through which nearly 20 percent of global oil supply passes. Any prolonged disruption could push oil prices even higher, with some projections pointing toward the $120–$150 range if tensions persist.

Diplomatic tensions have intensified alongside the military escalation. Qatar announced it had declared Iranian diplomats persona non grata, giving them 24 hours to leave the country following the strike on Ras Laffan.

In a strongly worded statement, Qatar’s foreign ministry warned that continued aggression from Tehran would prompt further actions to safeguard its sovereignty and national interests.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have reinforced security around key oil and gas facilities, signaling readiness to respond to any further attacks.

The crisis has sparked global concern, with world leaders closely monitoring developments amid fears that continued escalation could trigger a broader regional conflict and deepen volatility in the energy market.

With oil prices already surging and supply routes under threat, the situation remains highly fluid, and further military or geopolitical developments could have far-reaching consequences for the global economy.

Oil Prices Hit $110 as Iran Strikes Saudi, UAE, Qatar Energy Sites

New inflation figures: Food prices jolt Nigerians as hunger bites 

Just when Nigerian households began to catch their breath, the cost of putting food on the table has surged again—signalling a troubling return of pressure on already strained wallets.

After six consecutive months of easing, food inflation made an abrupt comeback in February, exposing the fragile nature of recent price stability and raising fresh concerns about the cost-of-living outlook.

Latest data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) show that annual food inflation climbed sharply to 12.12 per cent in February from 8.89 per cent in January. On a month-to-month basis, the shift was even more dramatic, swinging from a -6.02 per cent decline in January to a 4.69 per cent increase in February.

Behind the spike is a familiar story: rising prices of staple foods that form the backbone of everyday meals. Items such as beans, yam flour, cassava tuber, crayfish, millet flour and ogbono recorded notable increases, effectively pushing food costs higher across markets.

The rebound paints a stark contrast to the broader inflation picture. While headline inflation edged down marginally to 15.06 per cent in February from 15.10 per cent in January, the relief appears superficial as month-on-month figures reveal a renewed acceleration in price growth.

In practical terms, this means that although inflation is slowing on paper compared to last year, Nigerians are once again paying more for goods—especially food—than they did just a month ago.

A deeper look at regional data underscores the uneven burden. Kogi State emerged as the hardest hit, recording the highest food inflation rate at 26.91 per cent, followed by Adamawa and Benue. At the other end, states like Katsina, Bauchi and Imo posted relatively slower increases, offering limited pockets of relief.

The reversal in food inflation trend raises critical questions about supply stability, market dynamics and the sustainability of recent gains. For millions of households, however, the implications are immediate and personal: the brief respite at the market may already be over.

As food prices climb again, the struggle to afford basic meals is tightening its grip—reminding policymakers that the battle against inflation is far from won.