The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, has called for the formulation of a comprehensive national transport policy as a strategic step towards achieving sustainable transportation across Nigeria.
Speaking at the 11th Transport Day Lecture held on Friday in Lagos, Opeifa also advocated the development of a fresh strategic national rail transportation and logistics master plan to revitalise the country’s rail sector.
Presenting a paper titled “Sustainable Transportation System in Nigeria: A Path to Economic Prosperity,” he noted that while Nigeria’s current performance on sustainable mobility indices is not dismal, greater progress could be achieved through the implementation of a robust policy framework to support mass transit operations.
Opeifa urged all state governments to establish ministries of transportation and contribute actively to a revised integrated infrastructure master plan geared towards economic growth and national development.
He stated, “There should be an integrated strategic transportation master plan that encompasses rail, water, air and road systems, with buy-in from all state governments.”
He also emphasised the need for complementary institutions at the state level, including a Motor Vehicle Administration, a Driver Licensing Administration Agency, an efficient Vehicle Inspection Service, and a well-structured Driver Training Institute.
Drawing links between sustainable transportation and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Opeifa called on state governments and relevant stakeholders to focus on improving accessibility, affordability, inclusion, operational efficiency, and environmental responsibility in their transport planning.
He commended President Bola Tinubu for policy decisions such as the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of foreign exchange rates, describing these reforms as beneficial to the transport sector.
He further hailed the administration’s commitment to rail development, particularly the increased investment in railway infrastructure and the push for enhanced state-level rail connectivity and freight movement by rail.
“Supporting states with grants for rail system infrastructure in just two years of this administration has set the pace for a more impactful transportation sector,” Opeifa remarked.
Earlier at the event, the Convener and Publisher of Transport Day, Mr Frank Kintum, also commended President Tinubu for initiating the compressed natural gas (CNG) programme, saying it marked a progressive shift towards cleaner energy sources for transportation.
“Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind in the global transition towards cleaner energy, especially with the rise of electric vehicles and sustainable mobility solutions,” Kintum stated.