Every second brings Nigerians closer to exercising their democratic right and shaping the future of our nation.
Exercise your democratic right responsibly, peacefully and lawfully.
Transport professionals have called for urgent reforms in the implementation of government policies, warning that Nigeria’s inability to turn plans into practical results continues to undermine the development of an efficient transportation network.
The experts made their concerns known at the second edition of the Transport Summit held in Lagos over the weekend. Discussions centred on improving mobility, energy systems and trade facilitation to build a more resilient transport sector.
Dr Azeez Mustapha, Managing Principal of AZ Logistics, argued that Nigeria already possessed the expertise required to establish a functional transport network but lacked the political commitment to translate proposals into completed projects. He cited the proposed connection between Lagos’ rail network and airports as an example of an initiative requiring consistent execution.
Similarly, Olubowala Ade-Onojobi, Managing Director of Expedite Movers Nigeria Limited, criticised the tendency of successive administrations to introduce new policies without adequately implementing existing ones. She urged authorities to concentrate on delivering established plans and advised against copying foreign transport systems without considering Nigeria’s peculiar circumstances.
However, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Blue Economy, maintained that Nigeria could develop an effective transport system through locally designed solutions. He highlighted Lagos State’s Cowry Card as an example of integration, explaining that the payment platform allows commuters to pay for journeys across rail, Bus Rapid Transit and water transport services.
Publisher of MMS Plus Newspaper, Kingsley Anaroke, also called for a coordinated effort involving Nigerian transport professionals to develop a practical framework for connecting the country’s different transportation systems. He argued that local expertise remained underutilised and cited the Cabotage policy as an example of an initiative whose intended benefits had not been fully achieved.
The discussions followed a presentation by University of Lagos senior lecturer, Dr Femi Aiyegbajeje, on how rail-based multimodal integration could improve transportation efficiency, facilitate trade and strengthen national connectivity.
The experts maintained that better coordination between government policies and actual project delivery would be essential to improving passenger movement, reducing logistics difficulties and strengthening Nigeria’s transport infrastructure.
