FG approves 50% train fare discount for Eid-el-Kabir travels

The Federal Government has approved a 50 per cent reduction in fares for all passenger train services operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) as part of efforts to ease transportation costs for Nigerians during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

The discount, approved through the Federal Ministry of Transportation, will take effect from Tuesday, May 26, 2026, and remain in place until Monday, June 1, 2026.

This was announced in a statement signed on Tuesday by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Funsho Adebiyi.

Under the arrangement, passengers travelling on NRC routes nationwide will pay half of the current approved fares throughout the six-day period. The government stated that the move is aimed at supporting Nigerians amid rising travel expenses during the festive season.

Adebiyi noted that the initiative is part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to make movement more affordable and easier for citizens observing the Muslim festival.

“The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Transportation, has approved a 50 per cent fare discount on all train services operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation as part of measures to ease transportation costs for Nigerians during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration,” he said.

According to the ministry, passengers who had already purchased tickets at the old rates prior to the announcement will not be disadvantaged. They will receive rebates equivalent to 50 per cent of the ticket cost.

“Passengers who had earlier purchased tickets at the full fare before the announcement will be entitled to a 50 per cent rebate, reusable for train rides on or before Monday, June 1, 2026,” Adebiyi explained.

The ministry also clarified that despite the fare reduction, train schedules and timetables will remain unchanged throughout the festive period.

The Federal Ministry of Transportation thanked Nigerians for their continued support of the rail transport system and extended warm wishes to Muslim faithful across the country.

“The Federal Ministry of Transportation appreciates the continued support of Nigerians and wishes all passengers and the Muslim faithful a peaceful and joyous Eid-el-Kabir celebration. Eid Mubarak,” the statement added.

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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