The Federal Government has approved free train rides for Nigerians traveling to celebrate Christmas and New Year with their families, effective December 20, 2024.
Mohammed Idris, Minister of Information and National Orientation, made the announcement on Monday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja.
Idris said the initiative, which will run until January 5, 2025, aims to alleviate the financial burden of transportation costs for Nigerians, particularly vulnerable groups.
“As we did last year, there will be free train service to all Nigerians from December 20 up until January 5, free train service nationwide,” Idris stated.
“This is consistent with the President’s desire to cushion the effect of transportation, especially to the most vulnerable Nigerians. Recall that this also happened during the last Christmas period and the Sallah period. And the President has also approved that this year.”
The initiative continues the tradition set in 2023 when President Bola Tinubu approved a 50 percent discount on inter-state road travel and free train trips for Nigerians during the holiday season.
The free train service last year was extended until January 7, 2024.
The Federal Government emphasized that the program is in line with President Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring that Nigerians can travel across the country during the festive period without the burden of high transportation costs.
