The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has moved to allay concerns and raise hopes among daily travellers by revealing plans to restore and enhance the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS). Following recent disruptions and criticism over service lapses, the NRC’s management has disclosed detailed steps underway to resume full operations, improve safety, and address persistent complaints.
According to NRC’s public relations arm, a derailment at Jerei in Kaduna earlier this year led to temporary service disruption, but engineers have already been deployed and affected coaches repaired. Normal passenger operations between Kaduna-Rigasa and Idu-Abuja have since resumed. NRC insists safety is a priority and that all passengers from the derailed service arrived safely.
In response to complaints about ticket racketeering—where tickets are resold at inflated prices due to difficulty accessing legitimate channels—the NRC has established a task force, led by its deputy director of ICT, to investigate the issue. The management has also appointed Mr. Mohammed Modibo Ibrahim as the Manager for the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service, ordered by the Managing Director, to oversee daily operations and ensure transparency in ticket distribution.
Further bolstering passenger service, NRC has increased weekday train frequency on the Abuja-Kaduna route from four to six trips. This expansion, which applies Monday through Friday, reflects a substantial growth in demand—data over five months showed a 22% jump in new users registering for the service. NRC attributes the rising patronage to perception of the train as a more comfortable, reliable, and safer means of commuting compared to road travel.
To improve customer satisfaction, the NRC is stepping up administrative oversight: senior management will have a more visible presence along the route, from ticketing points to stations. The corporation is urging commuters to rely on its official online ticketing platform rather than third-party sellers. This is an effort to reduce fraud and ensure ticket availability is fair, consistent, and transparent.
Challenges remain, particularly around safety and infrastructure. NRC acknowledges that security concerns and track maintenance issues have caused disruptions in the past. While measures—including coordination with security agencies and repairs of damaged segments—are underway, full restoration of uninterrupted service depends on continued investment, enhanced oversight, and strong institutional accountability.
With these interventions, commuters along the Abuja-Kaduna corridor can expect more reliable service, better ticketing integrity, and a smoother journey ahead—if current momentum is sustained. The NRC’s latest moves appear designed to reassure the public that rail travel is being prioritised as a practical alternative for Nigeria’s transport backlog.
