Nigerian's rail cargo volume has increased by 467% since 2020, reflecting growing trust in train transport

Key Takeaways

  • 2024 was the strongest year on record, with 495.6k tons of cargo transported, more than 60% higher than 2023 and ₦1.95 billion in freight revenue.
  • Cargo volume and revenue both crashed in 2020 due to COVID-19 disruptions, falling to 87.4k tons and ₦281.4 million respectively.
  • Recovery began in 2021–2022, as improved freight operations and industrial demand pushed steady gains in both tonnage and income.
  • Q1 2025 shows 181.5k tons and ₦650m (approx.) in revenue, signaling strong momentum that could surpass 2024 totals if maintained.

Freight transport has become one of the brightest spots in Nigeria’s rail sector, showing rapid growth and operational expansion in recent years. From a pandemic-era low of just 87,400 tons in 2020, cargo volume has surged nearly sixfold to 495,600 tons in 2024, the highest level in six years. This increase has translated directly into revenue, which rose from ₦281.4 million in 2020 to almost ₦1.95 billion in 2024, underscoring growing demand for rail as a cost-effective logistics option. The upward trajectory suggests renewed private sector confidence and infrastructure improvements, positioning rail freight as a key driver in Nigeria’s transport economy.

Source:

National Bureau of Statistics

Period:

2019 - Q1 2025
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Nigeria’s rail revenue from passengers hit ₦6.7b in 2024 as traffic rebounded above 3million
  • 2020 marked the lowest point for both passenger volume (1.02 million) and revenue (₦1.7 billion), reflecting the full impact of COVID-19 lockdowns.
  • Strong recovery followed in 2021, with passenger numbers jumping to 2.71 million and revenue surging by 226% to ₦5.6 billion.
  • 2024 was the best-performing year, recording ₦6.7 billion in revenue and 3.14 million passengers, a clear sign of renewed public confidence in rail transport.
  • Q1 2025 (₦1.9 billion revenue, 929,000 passengers) suggests steady ridership levels but moderate momentum compared to the 2024 surge.
Number of road accidents by geopolitical zone in Nigeria (Cumulative, Q3 2020-Q3 2024)
  • The North Central zone accounts for the highest share of road accidents in Nigeria, contributing 34.55% of the national total.
  • Within the North Central zone, Abuja (FCT) recorded the most accidents, with a cumulative total of 8,133 cases.
  • The South West zone ranks second, responsible for 25.78% of all accidents nationwide, with Ogun State leading the zone at 6,418 accidents.
  • The South East zone has the lowest share, contributing just 5.38% of total accidents from Q2 2020 to Q2 2024.
  • Enugu State, the highest contributor within the South East, accounts for only 1.59% of the national total.
South Africa runs Africa’s longest rail network at 20,986km, while Nigeria trails 9th with 3,798km
  • South Africa leads the continent with a vast 20,986km rail network, nearly triple the size of Sudan’s, the second-largest.
  • Nigeria’s rail infrastructure measures 3,798km, ranking it behind Kenya (3,819km) and DR Congo (4,007km).
  • North African countries like Egypt and Algeria maintain significant rail mileage, exceeding 4,000km each.
  • Southern Africa dominates the top five, with Mozambique and Zimbabwe also featuring prominently.
Cars lead in road traffic crashes, while luxury bus accidents surge by 466.7% over four years
  • Cars were involved in the highest number of road accidents, recording 665 cases over the four-year period.
  • Luxury buses and bicycles recorded the highest quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) growth in accident involvement.
  • Tankers, cars, and motorcycles saw the sharpest QoQ declines, with accident rates falling by 47.2%, 30.6%, and 24.7% respectively.
Nearly 30% of road accidents recorded in Nigeria between Q3 2020 and Q3 2024 occurred in FCT, Ogun, and Nasarawa

  • FCT, Ogun, and Nasarawa consistently rank as the top three states with the highest number of road accidents.

  • The FCT recorded its peak accident figures in 2022, particularly in Q2 (842 cases) and Q4 (864 cases).

  • In Q2 and Q3 of 2024, Ogun State surpassed the FCT in the number of reported accidents.

  • Across these three states, there has been a notable decline in accident numbers, with an average decrease of approximately 37.6% between Q2 and Q3 2024.

Over the four-year period from Q3 2020 to Q3 2024, road accidents in Nigeria declined by 53%
  • Road accidents declined by 53% between Q3 2020 and Q3 2024.
  • Q4 2022 recorded the highest number of accidents, with 4,835 reported cases.
  • Q3 2024 had the lowest number, with just 1,945 accidents.
  • Speed violation remains the leading cause of road accidents in Nigeria.
  • Ogun, FCT, Kaduna, and Nasarawa consistently rank among the top four states with the highest accident occurrences.
  • Bayelsa, Borno, Imo, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom regularly report the lowest number of accidents each quarter.
  • Commercial vehicles are the most frequently involved vehicle category in accidents.
  • Cars account for the highest number of individual vehicle accidents.
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