The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) risks a sharp revenue shortfall after suspending services on its busy Abuja Kaduna and Warri Itakpe routes.

The Abuja Kaduna line was halted following a derailment that injured passengers, while the Warri Itakpe corridor has been shut since July 17, 2025. Together, the disruptions threaten the ₦4.8bn NRC generated in the first nine months of 2024.

NRC Managing Director Kayode Opeifa said passenger safety remains the priority, with efforts focused on treating the injured and repairing damaged trains before resuming service.

On loan concerns, the Nigerian Union of Railway Workers clarified that repayments on China’s $2bn rail loan are handled by the Federal Ministry of Finance, not the NRC.

The Abuja Kaduna route may reopen in about a month, while Warri Itakpe could resume within three weeks.