The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) recorded revenue of N1.95 billion from passenger transport in the first quarter of 2025, according to data released by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The figures, published in the Rail Transportation Data Q1 2025 report on 5 October and announced via the NBS X handle on Tuesday, show that a total of 929,553 passengers used the rail system during the period, up from 675,293 in the same quarter of 2024. This represents a growth rate of 37.65 per cent.

The report also highlighted the volume of goods transported through the railway system, which reached 181,520 tons in Q1 2025, compared to 160,650 tons in the corresponding period of 2024.

Revenue from goods and cargoes amounted to N657.03 million, reflecting an increase of 8.19 per cent from N607.32 million recorded in the first quarter of the previous year.

Other receipts, including fees and miscellaneous charges, rose sharply to N115.68 million in Q1 2025, marking a 355.39 per cent increase from the N25.40 million reported in Q1 2024.

The NBS attributed the growth in both passenger and cargo revenue to ongoing infrastructure investments in the rail sector. Among these is the operational Lagos–Ibadan rail line, which has contributed significantly to sector expansion since its launch in 2021.

The report further indicated that the railway sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 18.65 per cent in the first quarter of 2025, highlighting its expanding role in the national economy.

The NRC’s improved performance in Q1 reflects both rising passenger demand and the impact of recent investment in rail infrastructure, as the government continues to prioritise the sector as a means of enhancing domestic transport capacity and economic activity.