By Matthew Denis, Abuja
The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali has stated that Nigeria is positioning to harness smart mobility, blockchain for sustainable logistics.
The Minister cited the successful test flight of logistics drones developed by engineers at the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), Zaria as an example of the government’s drive for innovation within the transport sector.
Speaking yesterday at the National Conference of the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria (CIOTA) in Abuja, Alkali also announced that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has officially launched Nigeria’s first-ever National Land Transport Policy, following extensive validation by stakeholders across the country.
Senator Alkali stated, “Upon my appointment as the minister, I set it as one as one of my critical objectives and with commitment, perseverance, cooperation of all the major stakeholders, of which CIOTA and its key members made significant contributions, and finally, with the support of Mr. President, we were able to get the policy approved at the Federal Executive Council.”
Delivering his remarks, CIOTA President, Prince Segun Obayendo, used the conference theme, “Repositioning Nigeria’s Transport Infrastructure and Governance Models for Global Competitiveness,” to underscore that the nation must build arteries for a modern economy.
He defined global competitiveness as achieving seamless multimodal integration, enabling passengers and cargo to transition efficiently between different transport modes such as rail to air, supported by efficient logistics chains and governance that prioritizes efficiency over bureaucracy.
While acknowledging Nigeria’s strong educational infrastructure, with 27 universities and six polytechnics offering transport and logistics programs, Obayendo raised a serious concern on the incessant mishaps on inland waterways due to unprofessional operators.
He warned that if the transport sector is not urgently professionalized through rigorous training, certification, and enforcement of professional standards, the careers of students pursuing these courses would be jeopardized.