The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has resumed passenger train services on the Abuja-Kaduna corridor, effective October 1, 2025.
The decision comes after a thorough inspection and completion of all necessary safety, technical, and operational checks following the train derailment on August 26, 2025.
The corporation, on Wednesday, said that all necessary checks had been concluded on the train.
“This step underscores the Corporation’s commitment to ensuring smooth, reliable, and secure train services for the traveling public,” it added.
It also detailed available services.
Abuja – Kaduna IDU: 8:45
Kubwa: 9:05
Rigassa: 12:42 (Arrive)
Kaduna – Abuja
RIgassa: 14:30
Kubwa: 18:02
IDU: 18:23 (Arrive)
The NRC has scheduled Wednesdays for routine maintenance on the Abuja-Kaduna corridor, ensuring that the train services are reliable and secure.
The NRC said that the resumption underscored its commitment to ensuring smooth, reliable, and secure train services for the traveling public.
The NRC also said Wednesdays had been scheduled as maintenance for the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service.
“The NRC appreciates the patience and understanding of all Nigerians, especially train passengers during the period of the suspension, and reaffirms its commitment to providing safe, reliable, affordable, efficient, secure, and more customer-friendly train transportation alternatives across the country.
“The corporation deeply appreciates the patience, cooperation, and understanding of passengers during the suspension period.
”We remain steadfast in our mission to deliver safe, affordable, and efficient rail transportation that supports national connectivity and economic growth,” it stated.
The NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, had earlier said commercial service would recommence following the successful completion of all required safety, technical, and operational checks.
Recall that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), said the derailment was triggered by defective infrastructure and lapses in safety management by the NRC.
The incident occurred shortly after a manually operated switch point that had been previously declared unserviceable was passed.
The NRC had taken steps to address passenger welfare, including refunding fares to affected passengers: 512 out of 583 passengers have received refunds, with efforts ongoing to reach the remaining passengers.
All 618 passengers on board the derailed train would be entitled to one free ride before December 31, 2025.
Injured passengers would receive one free ride per week until December 31, 2025.
The NRC reiterated its commitment to providing safe, reliable, affordable, efficient, secure, and customer-friendly train transportation alternatives across the country.
The corporation appreciated the patience and understanding of passengers during the suspension period and remains steadfast in its mission to deliver safe and efficient rail transportation.
