Revenue from Nigeria’s rail transport rose by 37.36% year-on-year (YoY) to N2.724 billion in the first quarter of 2025 (Q1’25), up from N2.112 billion in Q1’24, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) reported.
The growth was largely driven by passenger transport, which generated N1.95 billion in Q1’25 — a 37.4% increase from N1.42 billion in the same period last year. Revenue from goods and cargo transport also rose, though more modestly, by 8.2% YoY to N657.03 million from N607.3 million.
Passenger traffic increased significantly, with 929,553 passengers using the rail system in Q1’25 compared to 675,293 in Q1’24, marking a 37.65% growth. Similarly, cargo volumes rose to 181,520 tons from 160,650 tons, highlighting steady expansion in freight movement.
Other receipts also surged to N115.68 million in Q1’25, a sharp 355.39% rise from N25.4 million in Q1’24.
The NBS data underscores a continuing rebound in Nigeria’s rail sector, with gains driven by rising passenger numbers and increasing freight activity.