Nigeria’s rail sector recorded a remarkable boost in the first quarter of 2025, with total revenue rising by 37.36 percent to N2.72 billion, according to new data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
The report showed that earnings from passenger transport increased significantly to N1.95 billion, up from N1.42 billion in the same period of 2024. Revenue from cargo and goods services also grew to N657.03 million, reflecting an 8.2 percent rise compared to the previous year.
During the period under review, the number of rail passengers rose to 929,553, compared with 675,293 recorded in 2024, marking a 37.65 percent increase. Similarly, the volume of goods transported expanded to 181,520 tons, higher than 160,650 tons in the first quarter of 2024.
The report further revealed that other receipts, which include non-passenger and non-cargo services, surged to N115.68 million, showing a 355.39 percent jump from N25.40 million recorded in the same quarter of 2024.
The NBS attributed the rise in performance to increased passenger movement, improved cargo operations, and better service delivery within the Nigerian Railway Corporation network.
