The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) generated ₦1.95 billion from transporting 929,553 passengers across the country’s rail network in the first quarter of 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The data, published in the NBS Rail Transportation Data Q1 2025 report on 5 October and shared via its X handle on Tuesday, shows a significant rise in passenger numbers and revenue compared to the same period last year.
“In Q1 2025, a total of 929,553 passengers travelled by rail, up from 675,293 in Q1 2024 — a growth rate of 37.65%,” the report stated.
Freight operations also improved, with 181,520 tonnes of goods transported, compared to 160,650 tonnes in the first quarter of 2024.
Passenger revenue increased by 37.36%, reaching ₦1.95 billion, up from ₦1.42 billion recorded in Q1 2024. Revenue from cargo services rose to ₦657.03 million — an 8.19% increase from ₦607.32 million in the previous year. Additionally, other income streams surged by 355.39% to ₦115.68 million, compared to ₦25.40 million in Q1 2024.
Industry analysts attribute the growth to ongoing infrastructure investments, particularly the Lagos–Ibadan rail line, which has significantly boosted ridership and cargo traffic since its launch in 2021.
The NBS report also noted that the rail sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP grew by 18.65% in Q1 2025, highlighting its rising economic importance.