The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has recorded its lowest passenger figure in three years, with a significant decline in the number of people using the train service in 2023.
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, the number of railway passengers fell from 3.2 million in 2022 to 2.1 million in 2023, a decline of 1.1 million persons.
The decline in passenger numbers is attributed to various challenges facing the NRC, including bandit attacks on the Kaduna-Abuja railway, which resulted in a loss of N531 million in six months.
The attacks have led to a decline in public confidence in the safety of the train service.
The decline in passenger numbers has also led to a drop in revenue, from N5.6 billion in 2021 to N4.4 billion in 2023.
This has raised concerns about the viability of the railway system and its ability to fund its operations and repay loans.
The decline in train travel has also had a ripple effect on the economy, with businesses that rely on the train service also experiencing a decline in sales.
The decline in passenger numbers has also led to a reduction in the number of trains operating on the tracks, further reducing the revenue of the NRC.
The decline in train travel in Nigeria is a cause for concern, as it highlights the challenges facing the country’s transportation sector.
The NRC must address the security concerns and improve the safety of the train service to restore public confidence.
The government must also provide support to the NRC to ensure the viability of the railway system, which is critical to the country’s economic development.
