ABUJA: Passenger train services have resumed on the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor, five weeks after a derailment forced the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to suspend operations.
The resumption comes after weeks of safety checks, repairs, and an investigation into the cause of the accident, which occurred on August 26, 2025, making it the second derailment at the same station in just over a year.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the NRC confirmed that its engineers had concluded all technical and safety inspections, assuring travelers of safe and reliable trips.
This step underscores the Corporation’s commitment to ensuring smooth, reliable, and secure train services for the traveling public,” the NRC said.
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The corporation also released a revised train timetable:
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Abuja to Kaduna: departs Idu at 8:45 a.m., stops at Kubwa by 9:05 a.m., and arrives at Rigasa, Kaduna, by 12:42 p.m.
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Kaduna to Abuja: departs Rigasa at 2:30 p.m., stops at Kubwa by 6:02 p.m., and arrives at Idu, Abuja, at 6:23 p.m.
It further announced that Wednesdays would be reserved for maintenance.
The suspended service followed the August derailment, which took place shortly after a manually operated switch point previously declared unserviceable was passed.
An investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) later attributed the incident to:
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Poor maintenance of the tracks
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A defective switching system
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Gaps in safety management by the NRC
The derailment reignited public debate over Nigeria’s fragile rail infrastructure and the need for stricter oversight.
While many commuters expressed relief that services had resumed given the Abuja–Kaduna highway’s reputation for insecurity — concerns remain about the frequency of accidents on the route.
It’s good news that the trains are back, but the question is: how long before another derailment? We want safety, not just resumption, said Ibrahim Sule, a regular passenger who spoke to Channels Television at the Idu station.
Transport analysts say repeated breakdowns and accidents undermine confidence in the government’s rail modernization agenda, which was billed as a safer and faster alternative to road travel
The NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, stressed that the suspension period was used to strengthen operational safety.
The NRC deeply appreciates the patience, cooperation, and understanding of passengers during the suspension. We remain steadfast in our mission to deliver safe, affordable, and efficient rail transportation that supports national connectivity and economic growth,” he said.
The Abuja–Kaduna rail line, inaugurated in 2016, was seen as a flagship project under Nigeria’s transport reform efforts. However, critics argue that repeated derailments, inadequate maintenance, and reliance on imported spare parts have exposed weaknesses in planning and execution.
The latest derailment has also revived calls for increased investment in local railway technology, better training for operators, and the establishment of a safety regulator independent of the NRC.
With services now back on track, the NRC faces pressure to restore public trust. Passengers, meanwhile, remain cautiously optimistic.
For many, the Abuja–Kaduna train is more than just a mode of transport — it is a lifeline linking two major cities in the face of road insecurity. But as analysts warn, unless Nigeria addresses the root causes of poor maintenance and safety lapses, rail accidents may continue to disrupt the service.
