Key stakeholders in Nigeria’s transport sector have renewed calls for urgent reforms to modernize the country’s transport infrastructure and governance systems, including the adoption of a National Integrated Transport Policy, NITP to harmonize air, land, and marine transport operations.
The demand formed part of a communiqué issued at the 7th National Transport Conference organized by the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration, CIoTA in Abuja.
Presenting the communiqué during a virtual briefing, Chairman of the Planning Committee, Professor S. G. Odewumi, said the conference brought together federal and state transport officials, security agencies, industry leaders, unions, and experts to examine persisting gaps in the nation’s transport architecture and to propose workable solutions.
According to Odewumi, delegates at the conference urged the Federal Government to complete ongoing and abandoned rail projects, strengthen port–rail connectivity, revive the Eastern ports, and invest in modern passenger terminals across the country.
Stakeholders also emphasized the need for multimodal integration, linking road, rail, air, maritime, and inland waterways, to reduce logistics costs and strategically position Nigeria to benefit from the African Continental Free Trade Area, AfCFTA.
Given that roads currently account for over 90 percent of national mobility, the communiqué recommended the establishment of a Road Transport Management Authority to enhance planning, regulate operations, and improve safety nationwide.
The conference also highlighted the importance of technological modernization, with CIoTA advocating the adoption of Smart Mobility and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) such as GPS tracking, digital ticketing, biometric identification, and strengthened cybersecurity across transport modes.
On maritime and livestock logistics, delegates called for improved systems to reduce losses, enhance efficiency, and strengthen the national livestock value chain.
The communiqué further underscored the need for better driver education and licensing, the establishment of more driver training institutes, and closer collaboration with transport unions to enhance professionalism and operational standards.
In addition, participants urged the government to rehabilitate aging pipelines and expand petroleum distribution infrastructure to ensure secure and sustainable energy transportation, in line with national development goals.
In his remarks, CIoTA President, Prince (Dr) Segun Ochuko Obayendo, said: “Our transport sector is the backbone of the economy. We must modernize infrastructure, integrate all transport modes, and adopt smart systems to meet global standards.”
Blacktalker reports that over 450 transport professionals, policymakers, and industry stakeholders converged on Abuja from 4th to 6th November for the 7th National Transport Conference, Fellowship Investiture, ConTransp Certification, and Annual General Meeting.
The conference focused on the theme: “Repositioning Nigeria’s Transport Infrastructure and Governance Models for Global Competitiveness.”