By Aaior K. Comfort
The Nigerian rail system generated N1.69 billion in passenger revenue during the second quarter of 2024, marking a significant 53.14% increase from N1.10 billion in the same period of 2023, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

The report revealed that a total of 689,263 passengers traveled by rail in Q2 2024, representing a growth rate of 45.38% compared to 474,117 passengers in Q2 2023.

Freight transport also experienced a substantial rise, with 143,759 tons of goods moved in Q2 2024, up from 56,936 tons in the same quarter of the previous year. Additionally, the Nigerian Railway Corporation reported 5,940 tons of goods transported through pipelines in Q2 2024, an increase from 2,856 tons recorded in Q2 2023.

Revenue from goods transported via rail reached N537.36 million in Q2 2024, a remarkable increase of 206.68% from N175.22 million in Q2 2023. Revenue from pipeline transport also grew to N42.08 million in Q2 2024, compared to N12.81 million the previous year.

Other revenue streams amounted to N994.68 million in Q2 2024, reflecting an astonishing increase of 5,206.68% from N18.74 million in the corresponding period last year.