The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has rolled out a 50 per cent reduction in train fares across its network to ease travel costs during the festive season rush.
The fare cut, which runs from December 23, 2025, to January 4, 2026, was announced by Kayode Opeifa, NRC Managing Director, during a TVC News Breakfast interview. The initiative follows a directive by the Federal Government to make transportation more affordable for Nigerians during the Christmas and New Year period.
Opeifa said the discount is aimed at cushioning the impact of rising transport costs, promoting inclusive mobility, and encouraging Nigerians to choose rail travel as a safer and more reliable option during peak travel periods.
“With airfares rising to between ₦450,000 and ₦500,000, and road transport costs climbing sharply across major routes, rail transport offers significant relief to travellers,” he said.
He explained that while the NRC had offered free rides in previous years, the decision to introduce a 50 per cent discount this time was informed by feedback from regular commercial users who experienced disruptions during earlier free-ride initiatives.
“We are a public corporation, and this intervention aligns with our mandate. We would have preferred free rides, but experience showed it affected regular trade users,” Opeifa noted.
In a statement signed by Callistus Unyimadu, NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, the corporation said the fare reduction has recorded a strong public response, with high passenger turnout across major corridors.
According to the NRC, train services on the Lagos–Ibadan and Abuja–Kaduna standard gauge routes, as well as key narrow gauge lines, are operating near full capacity following early bookings by travellers taking advantage of the discount.
The corporation confirmed that both standard and narrow gauge services remain fully operational, with enhanced security, safety, and customer service measures in place to manage the festive surge.
Passengers on standard gauge routes are advised to continue booking tickets via NRC-approved online platforms, while tickets for narrow gauge services are available at designated railway stations.
The NRC reaffirmed its commitment to smooth festive operations and urged passengers to cooperate with railway officials and comply with all travel guidelines throughout the Yuletide period.
