Lagos-Ibadan Trains to Run Six Trips on Tuesday as FG Cuts Sallah Fares by Half

Lagos-Ibadan Trains to Run Six Trips on Tuesday as FG Cuts Sallah Fares by Half

LAGOS – In a bid to ease transportation costs for Nigerians during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the Federal Government has approved a 50 per cent fare discount on all train services operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC). The discount, announced by the Federal Ministry of Transportation, takes effect from Tuesday, May 26, 2026, and will run through Monday, June 1, 2026. This makes it one of the most expansive festive transport interventions by the government in recent years, covering all NRC passenger train services nationwide.

Passengers who had already purchased tickets at full fare before the announcement are entitled to a 50 per cent rebate. According to the NRC, this rebate may be reused for train rides on or before Monday, June 1, 2026. The corporation has advised passengers to visit their points of purchase or contact NRC customer service for guidance on claiming their refund. All train schedules and timetables remain as previously advertised, except for specific adjustments on the Lagos-Ibadan corridor.

To accommodate the expected surge in passenger traffic during the Sallah period, the NRC has temporarily increased trips on the busy Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line. On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, the corporation will operate six train trips instead of the usual four. Under the revised timetable, departures from Lagos (Mobolaji Johnson Station) are at 7:45 am, 1:40 pm, and 4:00 pm, while departures from Ibadan are at 8:00 am, 10:50 am, and 4:30 pm. The NRC clarified that this arrangement is strictly temporary, and the normal Tuesday timetable of four trips will resume immediately after the Sallah celebration.

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Additionally, the NRC noted that the recently introduced six-trip Thursday operations will be temporarily adjusted during the festive week. On Thursday, May 28, 2026, only four trips will operate. The regular six-trip Thursday schedule will resume the following week.

In a separate but significant development, the Osun State Government has announced a free Sallah train service for indigenes of the state traveling home for the celebration. The service will operate on the NRC narrow gauge corridor, with the special train departing from Iddo Station, Lagos, on Tuesday, May 26, 2026. The return trip from Osogbo to Lagos will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2026. According to sources, the Osun State Government has paid the NRC to convey its indigenes free of charge, making this the only free train service available during the 2026 Sallah period.

While many passengers have welcomed the 50 per cent discount, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has criticized the Federal Government over the absence of free train rides for Muslims during Sallah. MURIC noted that free rides have been offered in previous years for Christmas and Easter, arguing that the government should extend the same gesture to Muslim faithful during Eid-el-Kabir. The group suggested that unless the government offers another free train ride during Christmas 2026, concerns of preferential treatment would persist.

The Federal Ministry of Transportation expressed appreciation for the continued support of Nigerians and wished all passengers and Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyous Eid-el-Kabir celebration. “We are committed to easing the burden of transportation during this festive period,” a ministry spokesperson said. “The 50% discount across all NRC services is a testament to that commitment.”