The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has reported that the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) generated ₦1.95 billion in passenger revenue during the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, marking a 37.36 percent increase from the ₦1.42 billion recorded in the same period of the previous year.

 

 

 

The figures, published in the NBS Rail Transportation Data Report on October 5, highlight continued growth in rail usage across the country. According to the report, 929,553 passengers travelled by train between January and March 2025, representing a 37.65 percent rise from 675,293 passengers in Q1 2024.

 

 

 

 

The NBS also revealed that the volume of goods and cargo transported by rail during the same period stood at 181,520 tons, up from 160,650 tons recorded in Q1 2024. In addition, revenue generated from goods and cargo transport increased by 8.19 percent, reaching ₦657.03 million compared to ₦607.32 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year.

 

 

 

The report further noted that other receipts, which include revenue from services such as leasing, station fees, and sundry income, amounted to ₦115.68 million, a significant 355.39 percent increase from ₦25.40 million recorded in Q1 2024.

 

 

 

 

 

For comparison, the NBS recalled that in Q4 2024, the Nigerian rail system transported 1,037,113 passengers, a 54.29 percent increase from the 672,198 recorded in the same quarter of 2023. Revenue from passengers during that period stood at ₦1.92 billion, up from ₦1.07 billion in Q4 2023.

 

 

 

However, revenue from goods and cargo conveyed in Q4 2024 declined slightly by 7.46 percent, from ₦423.22 million in Q4 2023 to ₦391.64 million. The report added that ₦8.93 million was earned from transporting 1,260 tons of goods through pipelines during the same quarter.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, other receipts for Q4 2024 rose to ₦434.44 million, reflecting a 10.34 percent increase compared to ₦393.72 million in Q4 2023.

 

 

 

The NBS said the consistent rise in passenger traffic and revenue highlights growing confidence in Nigeria’s rail transport system, supported by ongoing investments in infrastructure and

service expansion by the NRC.