CIOTA President urges Tinubu to restructure transport sector for $1tn economy
By Matthew Denis
The President of the Chartered Institute of Transportation (CIOTA), Prince Dr. Segun Ochuko Obayendo, has called on President Ahmed Tinubu to restructure the transport sector to achieve the $1 trillion economy in 2030.
He made the disclosure at the international press conference to herald the CIOTA 7th National Transport Conference coming up next week Tuesday in Abuja.
Recall that currently, the sector lacks a clear policy direction, with the National Transport Policy draft lingering for over a decade.
Prince Obayendo said, “Without good transportation infrastructure, the logistics and supply chains management of goods and services, we are still joking on how we want to achieve the $1 trillion economy in 2030.
“All of these have to sink. The intermodality of the entire system must be in place; that is when operations will begin to be done faster and more efficiently with regard to the movement of goods and services we are contending with in a short period of time. These are the visible factors that make an economy; it’s not some of these things you see.
“The absence of a National Transport Policy has hindered the sector’s development, and inadequate infrastructure has limited the sector's economic potential.
“Some of the infrastructural visibility we are speaking of are super highways. If you have been able to travel from Lagos to Kano in two hours as opposed to what you are currently spending on the road — spending over a whole day — will you say that the economy has been impacted positively? No. But when you move at such speed and get to your destination, do your business, add value, then you will evaluate the benefits of what we are talking about. Production will be done quickly within a short time to increase our financial base; then we can talk about the $1 trillion economy.
“Another instance is that the countries globally that are achieving a $1 trillion economy are not using Keke Napep but using supersonic jets to achieve it, and here we are using Keke Napep. How long can they move, and what goods can they carry? Even as you and I use our vehicles to work, it is a mark of a third-world country. If you check Kubwa–Airport road, you will see one vehicle carrying one person, another two persons — 30 vehicles with just 30 people — but you can use just one bus to convey these 30 people to work to decongest the road.”
Dr. Obayendo emphasized that the effect of bad road networks has impacted negatively, with the country losing billions.
Speaking on the theme of the 2025 National Transport Conference, “Repositioning Nigeria's Transport Infrastructure and Governance Models for Global Competitiveness,” he posited that it reflects the collective determination to align Nigeria's transport and logistics systems with modern international standards that promote efficiency, sustainability, safety, and innovation.
He highlighted that the conference will reassess the current state of Nigeria's transport infrastructure and identify key pathways for modernization and reform.
“Deliberate on effective governance, institutional, and regulatory frameworks for a coordinated, transparent, and accountable transport system. Explore innovative technologies, sustainable models, and public-private partnerships that can boost Nigeria's global competitiveness.
Strengthen collaboration among government, private sector, academia, and professional bodies towards advancing Nigeria's transport development agenda.”
Dr. Obayendo emphasized that this year's conference comes at a defining moment in Nigeria's transport evolution.
He said: “Our nation is at the crossroads of reform and renewal, striving to build systems that are not only efficient but also sustainable and globally competitive.
“We are bringing together voices that matter, ideas that work, and actions that will drive results. The deliberations and outcomes from this conference will serve as a blueprint for national transport reform and international collaboration.
“We at CIOTA recognize the vital role of the media, government agencies, and corporate stakeholders in promoting the objectives of this conference. Private sector partners, investors, and professional bodies should engage, exhibit, and collaborate with CIOTA in driving innovation and service excellence across all modes of transport — road, rail, air, maritime, and pipeline.”
Prof. Odewumi Samuel, Chairman of the 7th National Transport Conference Planning Committee, revealed that the event is targeted at repositioning Nigeria's transport system, which requires not only physical infrastructure renewal but also institutional reforms, capacity building, and professional excellence.
He noted that as an institute, CIOTA continues to champion professionalization and policy alignment that can drive Nigeria's transport system toward efficiency, safety, sustainability, and global relevance.
The expert tasked the government to prioritize the road transport system, which shoulders about 90 percent of movements in the country, by establishing agencies like the aviation sector for effective management