The Federal Government has announced a 50 percent reduction in train fares across the country as part of measures to ease transportation costs for Nigerians travelling during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
The fare slash applies to all passenger train services operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation and is expected to provide relief to thousands of commuters and holiday travellers facing rising transportation expenses ahead of the Sallah festivities. The Federal Ministry of Transportation confirmed that the temporary subsidy took effect from Tuesday, May 26, 2026, and will remain valid until Monday, June 1, 2026.
According to the ministry, passengers using NRC train services nationwide will now pay only half of the officially approved fares during the one week intervention period. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funsho Adebiyi, explained that the initiative was introduced to cushion the financial burden on citizens and encourage easier movement during the festive season. ..READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The government also disclosed that passengers who purchased tickets before the announcement at the old rates would not lose their money. Instead, they will receive a 50 percent rebate that can be reused for train journeys on or before June 1, 2026.
Authorities clarified that despite the fare reduction, all train schedules and timetables across the country would remain unchanged throughout the holiday period. This means passengers are expected to continue enjoying regular rail operations on routes including Abuja Kaduna, Lagos Ibadan, Warri Itakpe and other NRC corridors.
The announcement has already generated positive reactions among many Nigerians, especially at a time when the cost of road transportation continues to rise due to fuel prices and increased travel demand during festive periods. The move is also expected to boost passenger traffic on rail lines as more travellers may prefer the cheaper and relatively safer alternative offered by train services.
The Federal Ministry of Transportation appreciated Nigerians for their continued support and cooperation while extending Eid-el-Kabir greetings to Muslim faithful across the country. The ministry expressed hope that the intervention would help families travel conveniently and celebrate the festival with less financial pressure.
