Nigeria Urged to Embrace Multimodal Transport System for Sustainable Development

 

By oluwaseyi fadoro 

The Stakeholders in Nigeria's transportation sector have called on the Federal Government to fully embrace a multimodal transportation system as a strategic solution for achieving safer, more efficient, and sustainable transport across the country.

The call was made on Wednesday at the Global Transport Policy (GTP) Annual Multimodal Roundtable held at Marriott Hotel, GRA Ikeja, Lagos, with the theme: "Transforming Nigeria's Transport System: Integrating Solutions for Safety, Efficiency and Sustainability."

Delivering the keynote address, President and Chairman of Council, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, stressed the need for Nigeria to adopt an integrated transportation framework that effectively links road, rail, air, and maritime transport systems.

According to him, embracing the multimodal transport concept would significantly reduce transportation costs and address existing challenges arising from poor connectivity among the nation's transport corridors.

"If Nigeria is serious about developing a 21st-century transportation system, we must embrace multimodal transportation. This will help reduce costs and improve connectivity between rail, road, air, and maritime transport networks," he said.

Dr. Oyeyemi identified infrastructure deficits and system management failures as major factors hindering the performance of Nigeria's transport sector despite its enormous potential.

Speaking on the country's transportation market performance, he highlighted what he described as a "size versus performance gap," noting that Nigeria possesses vast transport resources that have yet to be fully optimized.

He commended the Federal Government for recently initiating a project in the maritime transport sector, describing it as a positive step towards improving transportation infrastructure.

The transport expert also called for stronger collaboration among the three tiers of government to drive strategic interventions that would accelerate sectoral growth.

He noted that Nigeria's approximately 830-kilometre coastline presents significant opportunities for economic development through enhanced maritime transportation and logistics.

"We need decisive leadership and discipline in managing our transportation system. Safety must remain a priority, while investments in infrastructure should be intensified to support national development," he added.

Dr. Oyeyemi further urged state governments to emulate Lagos State's achievements in transportation planning, traffic management, and urban mobility initiatives, describing the state's urbanisation and transport development efforts as commendable.

During the panel session, Dr. Fagbenro Abiola Hammed of the Department of Transport Management and Operations, School of Transport and Logistics, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, described the roundtable as impactful and timely.

He encouraged the organisers to sustain the initiative and ensure that students are actively incorporated into discussions and programmes aimed at advancing Nigeria's transportation sector.

According to him, exposing students to practical industry experiences would help bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world transportation challenges, ultimately producing future solution providers for the country.

Also speaking during the question-and-answer session, Dr. Kristy Bisiriyu advocated taking such professional engagements to the grassroots level to identify and nurture emerging talents within the transportation and logistics sector.

She noted that many undergraduates possess innovative ideas capable of addressing transportation and logistics challenges in Lagos State and beyond.

Dr. Bisiriyu disclosed that over the past five years, students of the LASU School of Transport and Logistics had benefited from employability and internship opportunities provided by organisations such as LAMATA, Lagos Bus Services Limited (LBSL), Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), and several private-sector partners.

The event attracted key stakeholders from academia, government agencies, and industry, including representatives of the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), represented by Dr. Joshua Odeleye, Professor Iyiola Oni of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), and Engr. Akinleye, among others.

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