Vital rail link reopens in Nigeria – in pictures

A driver in Lagos on the Ooni of Ife train to Kano Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP

Queuing to buy tickets at a rail terminal in Lagos Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP

Keen to buy tickets for the journey to Kano Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP

The business of boarding, in Lagos Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP

Relieved smiles amid the luggage Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP

On board the train Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP

The journey north passes through a market in Kaduna Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP

Passengers buy drinks and water at a station in Mnna Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP

A new experience for all Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP

A abandoned carriage. The state-owned China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation rebuilt the southern portion of the line and a Nigerian company handled the rest Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP

First class sleeper tickets, with a/c … Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP

… but for others bed is a floorspace in the aisle Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP

Grocery stalls alongside the railway line Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP

Families bound for Kano Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP

A view of the Ooni of Ife train en route Photograph: Sunday Alamba/AP