NRC: Abuja–Kaduna train set to resume next week after emergency repairs

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says its Abuja–Kaduna passenger service will roar back to life next week, following weeks of suspension triggered by track damage at Asham.

Operations were abruptly halted after the August 26, 2025 incident, prompting emergency repairs and safety checks on the affected corridor. Now, the NRC says both the infrastructure and the rolling stock have been fully restored and not just to working order, but “to global safety standards.”

“Both infrastructure and rolling stock have now been restored to global safety standards,” NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, said in a statement released Friday.

In a move to maintain passenger trust, the corporation revealed it has refunded fares to 512 of the 583 passengers who were on board the disrupted service. Refunds for the remaining passengers, it says, are still being processed.

The NRC expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Transportation, security agencies, the media, and other stakeholders for their support during the disruption. “Safety and comfort remain our top priorities,” the statement reassured.

Though a specific resumption date has yet to be confirmed, NRC says an official announcement  including a full train schedule will be released in the coming days.

The Abuja–Kaduna route, once the poster child for Nigeria’s rail renaissance, has endured a turbulent few years marked by insecurity, attacks, and technical disruptions. The upcoming resumption will be a critical test of both the rail system’s resilience and public confidence.

As passengers await the official green light, all eyes are now on NRC to deliver on its promise, and keep the tracks trouble-free.