Experts unveil roadmap for transport growth

Experts and industry leaders have called for a coordinated and technology-driven transport strategy to unlock Nigeria’s full economic potential, describing efficient mobility as the backbone of national development. Speaking at the 2025 Transport Infrastructure Summit held at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, the organiser, Mrs. Pearl Ngwama, said Nigeria can achieve global standards in transportation […]

Experts and industry leaders have called for a coordinated and technology-driven transport strategy to unlock Nigeria’s full economic potential, describing efficient mobility as the backbone of national development.

Speaking at the 2025 Transport Infrastructure Summit held at the Providence Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, the organiser, Mrs. Pearl Ngwama, said Nigeria can achieve global standards in transportation if it adopts an integrated and sustainable master plan that connects road, rail, air and maritime systems into a single network.

The summit, themed “Nigeria’s Transport Infrastructure: Innovation for a Sustainable Future,” brought together government officials, policy experts and private sector operators to discuss new pathways for building resilient transport systems.

Ngwama said that across the world, nations with strong economies owe their success to efficient multimodal transport structures that facilitate trade and innovation.

“We only have to look around the world to see how advanced nations are built on multimodal transport systems. These systems facilitate trade, improve productivity, reduce costs and drive innovation,” she said.

Citing growth indicators, Ngwama revealed that Nigeria’s maritime trade rose to N130.75 trillion in 2024, representing a 91 per cent increase over the previous year, while the aviation sector contributed N215.6 billion to GDP. The rail sector, she added, also recorded strong improvements in passenger and freight movement.

“These numbers tell us we have momentum and potential but also work to do,” she said.

The Managing Director of Primero Transport Services and Chairman of the summit, Mr. Fola Tinubu, also urged government and private players to drive innovation and sustainability in the sector.

“Transportation is not just about moving people or goods; it is about connecting lives, driving trade and fueling development,” Tinubu said.

He emphasised the need for smart solutions such as electric buses, intelligent traffic management and digital ticketing systems to improve efficiency and reduce emissions.

“We have the talent and creativity to do the same in Nigeria. What we need is collaboration,” he added.

Delivering the keynote lecture, Professor Bamidele Badejo, Chair of the Lagos State Government Professorial Chair Endowment on Transport Studies, said Nigeria’s future growth depends on integrating all modes of transport to achieve sustainable development.

“Transportation is life, nurtures life and keeps life going. Without it, everything becomes stunted and deficient,” he said.

Badejo warned that overreliance on road transport, which currently carries more than 90 per cent of passengers and freight, has created congestion, road decay and high logistics costs. He called for a multimodal approach linking roads, rails, air and waterways to reduce cost and improve efficiency.

He also identified policy inconsistency, poor maintenance culture and inadequate manpower as major bottlenecks.

“The future will not just happen; we must build it deliberately,” he added.