The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced a temporary increase in train operations on the Lagos–Ibadan Standard Gauge corridor ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah) celebration, following an anticipated surge in passenger movement across the route.
The adjustment, which takes effect from Tuesday, May 26, is aimed at easing transportation pressure as thousands of Nigerians travel to reunite with family and loved ones for the festive period.
In a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos by the NRC Chief Public Relations Officer, Mr. Callistus Unyimadu, the corporation said the decision was part of its contingency measures to ensure smooth travel during the Sallah rush.
Under the revised arrangement, the number of daily train trips on the Lagos–Ibadan corridor will increase from four to six on Tuesday, May 26.
According to the schedule, departures from Lagos will be at 7:45 a.m., 1:40 p.m. and 4:00 p.m., while Ibadan departures will be at 8:00 a.m., 10:50 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
The NRC stressed that the adjustment is strictly temporary and applies only to the Sallah travel period, adding that normal operations will resume immediately after the celebration.
“After the celebration, the normal Tuesday timetable of four trips would resume,” the statement said.
The corporation also announced a modification to the recently expanded Thursday service on the same corridor, reducing operations from six trips back to four on Thursday, May 28, due to the festive schedule adjustment. It said the full six-trip Thursday service would resume the following week.
In a related development, the Osun State Government will also operate its annual free Sallah train service for indigenes travelling from Lagos to Osogbo for the celebration.
The service, which runs on the NRC narrow-gauge corridor, is designed to support mass movement of residents returning home for Eid festivities.
According to the NRC, the special train will depart Iddo Railway Station in Lagos on Tuesday, May 26, while the return journey from Osogbo to Lagos is scheduled for Thursday, May 28.
The corporation said the initiative is being funded by the Osun State Government through a paid partnership arrangement with the NRC, allowing beneficiaries to travel free of charge.
Reaffirming its commitment to passenger safety and service efficiency, the NRC assured Nigerians of reliable rail operations throughout the festive period and extended goodwill messages ahead of the celebration.
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