The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has increased train services across multiple routes to support travel during the Easter holiday. Additional trips have been scheduled on the Lagos-Ibadan corridor, with three departures on Thursday, April 2, 2026, from both Mobolaji Johnson Station in Ebute Metta and Obafemi Awolowo Station in Moniya. Departure times from Lagos are 7:45 a.m., 1:40 p.m., and 4:00 p.m., while Ibadan departures are set for 8:00 a.m., 10:50 a.m., and 4:30 p.m. A special free service has been introduced on the Lagos-Osogbo narrow-gauge line, with a trip from Lagos at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 6, and a return from Osogbo at the same time. The Abuja-Kaduna route will run two trips on Thursdays and three daily from Friday to Monday. The Warri-Itakpe line continues with weekday operations except Thursdays, which are maintenance days. The Port Harcourt-Aba service maintains its regular schedule with morning and afternoon departures. Passengers are advised to arrive early and follow ticketing and security protocols. The NRC, in a statement by Chief Public Relations Officer Callistus Unyimadu, emphasized its commitment to safe and efficient service and extended Easter greetings to travelers.
Offering a single free trip on the Lagos-Osogbo route barely registers as a gesture given the limited scope and infrequent service on that line. Callistus Unyimadu's announcement highlights more about the NRC's constrained capacity than any real expansion. For most Nigerians, especially those outside major cities, rail travel remains an irregular option rather than a reliable alternative. This Easter adjustment changes nothing about the systemic underdevelopment of the national rail network.
