The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) announced on Wednesday the resumption of passenger train services on the Abuja–Kaduna corridor, effective October 1, 2025.
According to a statement issued by NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, commercial operations will restart following the successful completion of all required safety, technical, and operational inspections.
This announcement comes after the train derailment incident on August 26, the second derailment at the same station within 13 months. The accident occurred shortly after the train passed a manually operated switch point previously declared unserviceable.
An investigation conducted by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) identified defective infrastructure and lapses in safety management by the NRC as the primary causes of the derailment. However, the NRC confirmed that all necessary safety checks on the train and infrastructure have now been completed.
“This marks a significant step in our commitment to delivering smooth, reliable, and secure train services for the traveling public,” the statement said.
Regarding passenger welfare following the August 26 incident, out of 583 passengers on board during the accident, 530 were contacted by phone, and 512 have received full refunds. All 22 injured passengers have been reached, with many visited by the NRC medical team, and they will be entitled to one free ride per week until December 31, 2025. Additionally, all 618 individuals on board at the time of the accident are eligible for one free ride before December 31, 2025.
The Abuja-Kaduna train service timetable, effective October 1, 2025, is as follows: from Abuja to Kaduna, the train departs at 8:45 am and arrives at 12:42 pm, with a stop at Kubwa at 9:05 am. For the return journey from Kaduna to Abuja, the train departs Rigassa at 2:30 pm, stops at Kubwa at 6:02 pm, and arrives at Abuja at 6:23 pm.
The NRC also announced that every Wednesday will be dedicated to maintenance for the Abuja-Kaduna train service.
“We sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding of all Nigerians, particularly our passengers, during the suspension period,” the Corporation stated. “We remain committed to providing safe, reliable, affordable, and customer-friendly rail transportation that fosters national connectivity and economic growth.”
