The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the resumption of passenger train services on the Abuja-Kaduna corridor, effective October 1, 2025. This decision follows the successful completion of all required safety, technical, and operational checks after a train derailed on August 26, 2025. The incident, which occurred at a manually operated switch point that had been previously declared unserviceable, was the second derailment at the same station within 13 months.
An investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) revealed that the train derailment was triggered by defective infrastructure and lapses in safety management by the NRC. However, the NRC has since conducted necessary checks on the train, ensuring that it is safe for commercial service to recommence. The corporation’s commitment to providing smooth, reliable, and secure train services for the traveling public is underscored by this development.
Regarding passenger welfare after the August 26 incident, the NRC reported that out of 583 passengers on board, 530 were contacted by phone, with 512 successfully receiving refunds. All 22 injured passengers have been contacted, and many have been visited by the corporation’s medical team. These passengers will enjoy one free ride per week until December 31, 2025. Additionally, all 618 people on board during the accident will be entitled to one free ride before December 31, 2025.
As the train resumes operations, the NRC has released a timetable for the Abuja-Kaduna train service. The schedule includes departures from Abuja to Kaduna at 8:45 and 9:05, with arrivals at 12:42 and 18:02, respectively. Every Wednesday has been scheduled as a maintenance day for the Abuja-Kaduna train service. The NRC appreciates the patience and understanding of all Nigerians, especially train passengers, during the period of suspension and reaffirms its commitment to providing safe, reliable, affordable, efficient, secure, and customer-friendly train transportation alternatives across the country.
The resumption of passenger train services on the Abuja-Kaduna corridor is a significant development for the country’s transportation sector. The NRC’s efforts to ensure safe and reliable train services demonstrate its dedication to supporting national connectivity and economic growth. As the corporation moves forward, it remains committed to delivering efficient rail transportation that meets the needs of its passengers.
