NRC Rakes In N1.95bn Revenue In Q1 After Passengers’ Surge

The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has disclosed that the Nigerian Railway Corporation generated N1.95 billion from transporting 929,553 passengers through the rail system in the first quarter of 2025.
The bureau made disclosure in its Rail Transportation Data Q1 2025 published on October 5 and announced via its X handle on Tuesday.
The report indicates a significant boost in NRS’s passenger and revenue figures for the first quarter of 2025.
“In Q1 2025, a total of 929,553 passengers travelled through the rail system, relative to 675,293 reported in the corresponding quarter of 2024, indicating a growth rate of 37.65%.
“The volume of goods/cargoes transported stood at 181,520 tons compared to 160,650 tons recorded in Q1 2024,” the report read.
In terms of revenue generation, NBS said, “N1.95 billion was received from passengers during the reference period, showing an increase of 37.36% from the N1.42 billion recorded in the same quarter of the previous year.”
It added that N657.03 million was received from goods and cargoes conveyed, up by 8.19% from N607.32 million in Q1 2024.
“In addition, Other receipts amounted to N115.68 million, indicating an increase of 355.39% in Q1 2025 from the N25.40 million received in Q1 2024.”
Observers are of the view that the growth may be attributed to ongoing infrastructure investments, including the operational Lagos-Ibadan rail line, which has been a key driver of the sector’s expansion since its launch in 2021.
Recall that the rail sector’s contribution to Nigeria’s GDP rose by 18.65% in Q1 2025, underscoring its growing economic significance.