Excited passengers hail FG as 50% yuletide train fare cut sparks nationwide rush

Excitement swept through major railway stations across the country on Tuesday and Wednesday as thousands of passengers turned out to enjoy the Federal Government’s 50 percent yuletide train fare reduction, with many openly praising the initiative as a major relief amid rising transport costs.

From the Lagos–Ibadan and Abuja–Kaduna standard gauge corridors to key narrow gauge routes, passengers arrived early, smiling, cheering and expressing gratitude to the government for what they described as a “timely Christmas gift.”

Several train services departed with near-full capacity as Nigerians seized the opportunity to travel cheaply to reunite with family and loved ones for the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The discounted festive rail service, approved by the Federal Government and implemented by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), runs from Tuesday, December 23, 2025, to Sunday, January 4, 2026, offering passengers a 50 percent reduction on fares nationwide.

Speaking at various stations, passengers said the fare cut had significantly eased the financial burden of holiday travel, especially for families and group travellers.

Many described the initiative as people-centred and compassionate, noting that it allowed them to travel safely and comfortably at a time when road transport costs have surged.
“I never imagined I would travel this cheap during Christmas,” a passenger at the Lagos terminus said. “This is a big relief. The government has really tried, and we are grateful.”

Confirming the successful commencement of the programme, the NRC Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, said the turnout across major routes showed strong public acceptance of the initiative, adding that early bookings reflected overwhelming passenger interest.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, assured passengers that the corporation was fully prepared to sustain safe, efficient and customer-friendly services throughout the festive period.

He said enhanced security, safety and customer service measures had been put in place across stations and onboard trains to manage the increased traffic resulting from the fare reduction.

The NRC noted that both standard gauge and narrow gauge services are fully operational, advising passengers on standard gauge routes to continue using NRC-approved online booking platforms, while narrow gauge passengers can purchase tickets directly at designated railway stations.

The 50 percent yuletide train fare cut is part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, aimed at reducing transportation costs, promoting inclusive mobility and encouraging rail transport as a safer and more reliable option during peak travel seasons.

As the festive rush continues, the NRC urged passengers to cooperate with railway officials and comply with travel guidelines to ensure smooth and hitch-free journeys throughout the discount period.
If you want, I can make it more emotional, more political, or more populist depending on the platform (Vanguard, Punch-style, or government-leaning tone).

NRC Appeals for Patience as Abuja–Kaduna Train Service Faces Temporary Disruption

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has urged passengers using the Abuja–Kaduna train service to exercise patience, describing the current service disruption as temporary while repairs and security upgrades continue.

The appeal was made on Tuesday by NRC Managing Director Dr. Kayode Opeifa, following public concerns over the reduced frequency of train services on the corridor. He acknowledged commuter frustrations and affirmed that the Abuja–Kaduna line remains a flagship service under Nigeria’s railway modernisation programme.

Dr. Opeifa attributed the reduced services to two major setbacks: the March 2022 terrorist attack on the rail line, which prompted enhanced security measures, and a recent derailment that damaged multiple Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) coaches, reducing the number of operational trains. He clarified that the service reduction was not due to neglect, but a necessary step to ensure passenger safety.

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Repairs and refurbishments are ongoing, with plans to deploy additional coaches to restore normal service frequency. “Passengers’ feedback helps strengthen our resolve to deliver safe, reliable and efficient service,” Opeifa said.

The NRC also highlighted continued support from the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, as the Minister of Transport works closely with the Corporation to accelerate full restoration. Alternative rolling stock is being considered to temporarily reinforce service, while safety certification and enhanced security along the corridor remain top priorities.

The NRC assured commuters that the challenges are part of a phase of recovery and rebuilding, promising progressive improvements and a return to multiple daily trips. Passengers can communicate directly with the Managing Director via SMS at 08075005411 for feedback.

NRC Appeals for Patience as Abuja–Kaduna Train Service Faces Temporary Disruption

Fresh security fears as vandals attack Kaduna rail infrastructure after court jails offenders 

Nigeria’s rail infrastructure came under renewed scrutiny on Friday as the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) reported a fresh act of sabotage on a 33Kv powerline feeding the Rigasa Station in Kaduna—barely 48 hours after a Federal High Court jailed two men for vandalising the Warri–Itakpe rail corridor.

The simultaneous developments have deepened concerns about a coordinated pattern of attacks on critical national assets, heightening pressure on security agencies already battling widespread infrastructure sabotage.

According to a statement issued by NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, vandals struck the newly restored powerline in the early hours of Friday, carting away essential components and plunging the busy station and its adjoining railway community back into darkness.

The power facility had only been repaired 60 days ago after suffering two years of blackout from a previous attack.

The NRC described the latest incident as “a deeply troubling regression,” raising fears of an emboldened network of vandals targeting the nation’s rail system.

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The renewed vandalism came just as the Federal High Court in Ikoyi delivered a landmark judgment sentencing two offenders—Mudansuru Mutari (27) and Blorie Kokori (39)—to two years imprisonment for tampering with the Warri–Itakpe track.

Justice A. I. Kala, who handed down the sentence, warned that attacks on rail infrastructure constitute “a serious threat to national safety,” stressing that Nigeria’s rail renaissance cannot thrive amid persistent sabotage.

Both convicts had been arrested around Kilometer 208 before Abraka in Delta State and were prosecuted under the Miscellaneous Offences Act for vandalism and economic sabotage.

NRC Managing Director, Dr Kayode Opeifa, said the twin incidents demonstrated the scale of the threat confronting the nation’s rail system.

“What we are facing is not petty theft—it is an assault on Nigeria’s economic arteries,” he said, calling for intensified security operations, particularly around high-risk rail corridors in Kaduna, Delta, Lagos and other flashpoints.

Opeifa lamented the rising frequency of attacks, warning that persistent sabotage undermines passenger safety, disrupts operations and imposes heavy repair costs on the government.

He reiterated the NRC’s commitment to sustaining services despite the setbacks while urging communities to support security efforts and report suspicious activity.

Security experts warn that the pattern of sabotage reflects a broader threat to the country’s transportation infrastructure, especially at a time when the government is pushing to expand rail services under the Renewed Hope Rail Agenda.

The repeated attacks on power and track components also raise questions about the capacity of state security outfits to provide adequate surveillance along long, unmanned rail corridors.

As investigations into the Rigasa attack intensify, the NRC assured passengers and residents that emergency response teams are working to restore power while long-term security measures are being strengthened.

Despite these challenges, the Corporation insists that its resolve to protect railway assets and ensure reliable transport services remains unwavering.

Fresh security fears as vandals attack Kaduna rail infrastructure after court jails offenders