Easter train: NRC increases Lagos-Ibadan trips, offers free Osun holiday transit

With the 2026 Easter celebrations just around the length of a rail track away, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has moved to prevent holiday travel gridlock by significantly boosting its service capacity.

In a move to accommodate the seasonal influx of travellers, the corporation announced a strategic mix of increased trip frequencies and a unique government-backed free transit programme.

The centrepiece of this holiday rollout is the Lagos-Ibadan Train Service (LITS). Anticipating a massive exodus from the coastal hub on Thursday, April 2, the NRC has added a third daily trip to its schedule. Commuters departing from the Mobolaji Johnson Station in Ebute Metta can now choose between 7:45am, 1:40pm, and 4pm slots.

Those returning from the Obafemi Awolowo Station in Ibadan have similar flexibility, with departures staggered at 8:00 a.m., 10:50am, and 4:30pm.

Adding a layer of relief for budget-conscious travellers, the NRC is collaborating with the Osun State Government to provide a fully funded narrow gauge service. This initiative allows passengers to travel from Lagos to Osogbo at no cost.

According to the corporation, the “free train” is scheduled to leave Iddo Station on Friday, April 3, at 10am, with the return leg bringing holidaymakers back to Lagos on Monday, April 6, at the same hour.

It also noted that while the South-West corridors see these specific boosts, the rest of the national network remains steady, the Northern Corridor (Abuja–Kaduna service) will maintain its robust schedule, offering up to three daily trips over the weekend to keep the Idu and Rigasa link fluid.
The Delta-Kogi Link (Warri–Itakpe line) continues its daily operations, though it will pause this Thursday for its standard safety maintenance window.
Also, the Eastern Line (The Port Harcourt–Aba service) remains on its morning-departure and afternoon-return cycle.

NRC management stressed that while capacity has increased, security and ticketing protocols remain a top priority. They are urging the public to arrive at stations early and cooperate with security personnel to ensure the holiday remains peaceful.

As the corporation looks toward a busy weekend, they continue to pitch rail travel as the safest and most dependable alternative for Nigerians traversing the country this Easter.

Dangote Refinery Secures $4 Billion Syndicated Loan with $2.5 Billion Backing from Afreximbank

The African Export‑Import Bank (Afreximbank) has underwritten $2.5 billion of a $4 billion senior syndicated term loan for the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals (DPRP), one of the continent’s most transformative industrial projects.

In a statement confirming the financing, Afreximbank said it and Access Bank Plc have been appointed co‑mandated lead arrangers for the five‑year facility, designed to enhance the refinery’s financial position and support its long‑term growth ambitions.

The syndicated loan — a financing structure involving a group of lenders jointly providing a large credit facility — marks a pivotal milestone for DPRP, which has a processing capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, making it one of the world’s largest single‑train refineries. The facility is expected to improve balance‑sheet flexibility, strengthen financing structures, and support DPRP’s role as a strategic supplier of refined petroleum products across Africa and global markets.

Since its commissioning in February 2024, the refinery has significantly reduced Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined products and opened opportunities for refined fuel exports, bolstering Africa’s energy security. Afreximbank noted that its involvement with the project goes beyond the latest credit facility:

• It provided a $1 billion working capital facility to support refinery operations.
• It acted as financial adviser on the Naira‑for‑Crude Initiative, a programme aimed at enabling crude oil purchases and refined product sales in Naira, thus reducing exposure to foreign exchange volatility.

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In his remarks, Dr. George Elombi, President and Chairman of Afreximbank’s Board of Directors, said the bank takes pride in being the largest financier of the Dangote Group, with cumulative commitments of about $15 billion across its businesses since 2015.

“We do so primarily because Dangote is African,” Elombi said. “When we invest in ourselves, we do more than create jobs, wealth, or expand government revenues; we build a secure and resilient future for our continent.”

He added that Afreximbank remains committed to supporting transformative indigenous industrial projects that strengthen regional value chains and accelerate economic development across Africa.

Elombi described the Dangote Refinery as a “bold symbol of African ambition, African capital, and African execution.” According to him, beyond expanding refining capacity, the project will help reduce dependence on imported fuel, support intra‑African trade, and catalyse industrial growth.

Dangote Industries Limited also expressed appreciation for Afreximbank’s continued confidence and strategic support. The company emphasised that the syndicated loan package, backed by strong participation from a consortium of African and global financial institutions, reflects sustained investor confidence in the refinery’s long‑term viability and in Africa’s broader industrialisation agenda.

Industry analysts say the $4 billion financing will not only strengthen DPRP’s financial foundation but also enhance Nigeria’s role as a regional energy hub, potentially increasing refined product exports to neighbouring countries and beyond. (Sources: Afreximbank statement; Western Post; ProShare; Nigerian Bulletin)

Dangote Refinery Secures $4 Billion Syndicated Loan with $2.5 Billion Backing from Afreximbank

Lagos LIRS Extends 2026 Individual Tax Return Deadline

The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has extended the deadline for filing individual annual income tax returns to April 14, 2026, giving taxpayers in Lagos State extra time to comply with the 2026 year of assessment. The original filing deadline was March 31, but the extension aims to ensure residents can submit accurate tax returns without errors.

LIRS Executive Chairman, Dr. Ayodele Subair, emphasized that tax compliance is a civic duty, urging residents to submit their returns promptly even with the extended deadline. “The extension is meant to make filing easier and ensure accuracy, but taxpayers should not delay unnecessarily,” he said.

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The authority reiterated that electronic filing via the LIRS eTax portal is now the only approved method, as manual submissions have been fully phased out. The platform is secure, user-friendly, and accessible 24/7, allowing taxpayers to file their returns conveniently from anywhere.

Taxpayers are also advised to enter their Tax Identification Number (TaxID) correctly during submission to avoid processing delays or errors. LIRS further encouraged individuals who require assistance to visit any of its offices or reach out through official communication channels, including their customer care hotline and social media platforms.

This extension follows LIRS’ ongoing efforts to strengthen digital tax compliance and make filing processes more efficient, reflecting broader reforms aimed at improving revenue collection while easing administrative burdens on taxpayers.

Authorities warned that missing the April 14 deadline could attract penalties and interest on late filings, reinforcing the importance of meeting the revised timeline.

Lagos LIRS Extends 2026 Individual Tax Return Deadline