The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the suspension of train operations along the busy Port Harcourt–Aba corridor, citing the need for routine maintenance.
The shutdown, which took effect on Friday, September 5, 2025, will last until Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
The suspension was disclosed in a statement signed by NRC’s Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa.
He assured the public that the pause was temporary and aimed at ensuring safer, more reliable services for passengers.
“Port Harcourt to Aba train services have been suspended for routine maintenance and will resume on the 9th of September 2025. We regret all inconveniences,” Opeifa said.
Although the NRC has maintained that the disruption is routine, many passengers have expressed unease.
The Port Harcourt–Aba route has become one of the most critical links for commuters, traders, and low-income travelers connecting the South-East and South-South regions.
In recent months, ridership has surged due to rising fuel prices, the high cost of road transport, and persistent insecurity on major highways.
For many traders who rely on the rail line to transport goods, the sudden suspension has disrupted business operations.
“I had already booked my trip for the weekend to Aba. Now I’ll be forced to go by road, which is not only more expensive but also unsafe,” said Chika Nwosu, a trader at the Oil Mill Market in Port Harcourt.
The suspension comes at a time when the NRC is still grappling with criticism following a recent derailment involving a Kaduna-bound train.
The incident, initially reported to have left seven passengers injured, was later updated to confirm 20 injuries, sparking public outrage over inconsistencies in the corporation’s reports.
Opeifa, however, assured Nigerians that investigations were ongoing in collaboration with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and other relevant agencies.
He also dismissed allegations of poor maintenance, stating that affected passengers were refunded and that the corporation remained committed to safety.
Despite these assurances, stakeholders are pushing for a comprehensive audit of the NRC’s operations. Civil society groups argue that recurring disruptions and accidents indicate systemic lapses in infrastructure management and operational oversight.
The Port Harcourt–Aba corridor is not just a transport link but an economic lifeline. Small-scale traders, agricultural suppliers, and manufacturers depend heavily on the line for the movement of goods.
Its suspension has reignited conversations about the fragility of Nigeria’s rail network and its impact on regional trade.
Dr. Uche Chikwelu, an economist and transport analyst, noted that any disruption in rail services directly affects commerce in the region.
“The suspension, even if temporary, highlights the vulnerability of Nigeria’s transport infrastructure.
For businesses already squeezed by high inflation and energy costs, this adds another layer of uncertainty,” he said.
The latest incident has renewed calls for structural reforms in the railway sector.
Industry observers say that while routine maintenance is critical, poor communication and last-minute announcements erode public trust.
“The NRC must build credibility by being proactive.
Announcements should come early enough for passengers to make alternative arrangements.
They should also provide more details on the exact nature of the maintenance,” said Nnanna Kalu, a transport union leader in Aba.
There are also calls for the Federal Government to accelerate investments in modernizing Nigeria’s railways, particularly under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, which has prioritized infrastructure upgrades.
Despite growing concerns, NRC insists that the suspension is a standard procedure to ensure long-term safety and efficiency.
Dr. Opeifa reiterated that the corporation’s broader mission remains to expand the rail network, modernize facilities, and provide affordable alternatives to road travel.
As services are expected to resume on Tuesday, September 9, stakeholders will be closely watching to see whether the NRC delivers on its promise of improved safety and reliability.
For now, passengers and traders across the South-East and South-South are left to grapple with disruptions, hoping the shutdown does not signal deeper operational cracks in Nigeria’s struggling railway system