The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has introduced a 50 per cent fare reduction for passengers travelling on the Lagos–Ibadan standard gauge rail corridor, departing from its usual practice of offering free train rides during festive seasons.
The discounted fares have sparked a rush among travellers, with a noticeable increase in ticket purchases on the NRC’s online booking platform as Nigerians prepare for Christmas and end-of-year movements.
Although the corporation has yet to make an official public announcement regarding the discount, checks on the booking portal show that the fare slash is already in effect and widely utilised by intending passengers.
As of 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, tickets for the Lagos–Ibadan route scheduled for that day were completely sold out, reflecting strong demand for the festive offer.
Similarly, all seat categories for Christmas Eve, Wednesday, December 24, 2025, including First Class, Business Class and Standard Class, were fully booked at the time of this report.
Under the festive arrangement, passengers travelling in the Business Class now pay N2,396 instead of the usual N4,792, representing a 50 per cent reduction in fare.
For Standard Class passengers, the regular ticket price of N3,195 has been reduced to N1,597, amounting to a discount of about 49.98 per cent, with travellers effectively paying N1,598.
The high booking rate suggests that many commuters are taking advantage of the reduced fares to travel comfortably and affordably during the busy holiday period.
Rail transport has continued to gain popularity along the Lagos–Ibadan corridor, particularly during festive seasons, due to its relative safety, speed and relief from traffic congestion on the highways.
Passengers have described the discount as a welcome development, especially in the face of rising transport costs and increased pressure on household finances during the yuletide.
With seats selling out rapidly, intending travellers are advised to plan early and secure bookings promptly, as demand for the discounted train service remains exceptionally high.
