President Bola Tinubu has extended the free train service to Sunday, January 7.
On December 20, Tinubu approved a 50 percent discount for inter-state road travels, and 100 percent for train trips, for Nigerians travelling to celebrate Christmas and New Year with their families.
The federal government had said the president wanted citizens to travel within Nigeria during the yuletide season without the burden of exorbitant transport fares.
The discount was expected to run from December 21 to January 4, 2024.
Recently, Dele Alake, the minister of solid minerals development, said about 163,878 Nigerians have enjoyed the transportation rebate introduced by the federal government.
In a statement on Thursday, Said Ahmed Alkali, minister of transportation, said the president issued the directive to allow more Nigerians to take advantage of the free train rides.
“While over 163,000 Nigerians benefited from successful first leg of the yuletide initiative, President Tinubu, in further demonstration of his care for the welfare of Nigerians, directed that the free train service should be made available for extra 3 days to allow more Nigerians to take the advantage,” the statement reads.
“The public is advised to note that this extension applies to all three routes currently being serviced by the Nigerian Railway Corporation as follows: Lagos – Ibadan, Warri -Itakpe and Abuja – Kaduna.
“It is hoped that Nigerians who are interested in travelling by rail will take full advantage of this unique opportunity aimed at enhancing people’s welfare.”
