“CIoTA Urges Government to Harmonise Transport Policies, Establish National Transport Management Authority”
The Chartered Institute of Transport Administration (CIoTA) of Nigeria has called for the full coordination and harmonisation of transport policies across air, land, and marine modes to produce a single National Integrated Transport Policy (NITP) capable of driving investment, efficiency, and multi-modal connectivity.
The Institute, led by its President, Prince Segun Ochuko Obayendo, made the appeal during a press conference in Lagos to present the communiqué from the 2025 National Transport Conference.
In a statement from the online conference held on November 19 issued by CIoTA’s National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Chizoba Anyika, and signed by the President, the Institute urged the federal government to establish a new Transport Management Authority that will serve as the central regulatory body for the entire sector.
2025 Conference Focused on Global Competitiveness
The 7th National Transport Conference, which held from November 4 to 6 at NICON Luxury Hotel, Abuja, had the theme: “Repositioning Nigeria’s Transport Infrastructure and Governance Models for Global Competitiveness”.
According to the communiqué, the Institute reaffirmed its commitment to professional certification, training, advocacy, and driving sector reforms. It stressed that transparency, accountability, and regulatory coherence remain essential for building sustainable transport infrastructure.
CIoTA also welcomed the approval of Nigeria’s first National Land Transport Policy and the Marine and Blue Economy Policy in 2025, noting its contributions to the drafting processes.
Calls for Strengthened Training, Policy Alignment, and Institutional Collaboration
The communiqué highlighted strong resolutions, including:
- The need to deepen transport education and training through collaboration with transport unions.
- Close partnership with the Ministry of Transportation to ensure effective implementation of new national transport policies.
- A call on all states, except Lagos, Kano, and Kaduna, which already have transport policies to develop and align their own policies with the national framework.
The Institute further emphasised the importance of multimodal integration, linking road, rail, air, maritime, and inland waterways to reduce logistics costs, enhance connectivity, and position Nigeria for maximum benefits under the AfCFTA.
CIoTA Backs Smart Mobility, ITS, and Sector Digitalisation
The Institute expressed readiness to collaborate with government agencies to design and deploy Smart Mobility and Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) nationwide. These technologies, it said, are critical to improving efficiency, safety, sustainability, and global competitiveness.
The communiqué also recommended that the government:
- Establish a Road Transport Management Authority to oversee a mode that accounts for over 90% of national mobility.
- Improve linkages between ports and the national rail network to enhance port efficiency and maximise inland dry port utilisation.
- Activate deliberate policies to boost the use of Eastern ports to decongest Western corridors.
- Expedite funding to complete ongoing and abandoned rail projects.
Safety, Security, and Clean Energy Priorities
On road transport, CIoTA urged the government to streamline the issuance of driver’s licences, improve driver training, and encourage states to set up approved driver education institutes.
The Institute also pledged to work with the Federal Ministry of Livestock Development on route mapping, logistics optimisation, and the design of standardised livestock transport vehicles to strengthen the livestock value chain.
For safer transport operations, it called for greater investment in modern security systems—cybersecurity tools, CCTVs, biometric scanners, GPS, and mobile app security solutions to combat crimes such as rail vandalism, airport drug trafficking, road kidnappings, maritime piracy, and pipeline sabotage.
The Institute further advised the government to rehabilitate existing petroleum pipelines and expand new lines to support nationwide distribution of auto gas, in line with Nigeria’s net-zero commitments for 2035 and 2060.
CIoTA Reaffirms Support for PPPs, Professionalisation, and Aviation Manpower Development
The communiqué underscored the need for stronger Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models to fund and maintain transport infrastructure. CIoTA also committed to working closely with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to improve aviation manpower development, enhance local content, and ensure global competitiveness.
CIoTA reiterated its readiness to support federal, state, and private institutions through its specialised consultancy arm in developing transport policies and modern governance models.
A Gathering of Top Decision-Makers
The conference, chaired by Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, featured a keynote address by the Minister of Transportation, Sen. Said A. Alkali. Goodwill messages came from the Abia State Governor, CEOs of transport agencies, and stakeholders from the organised private sector.
Over 450 delegates attended, including state commissioners for transport, regulatory chiefs, security agencies, academia, industry captains, professional bodies, policymakers, and transport union leaders.
A total of 240 new members were inducted across various categories—13 Honorary Fellows, eight Direct Fellows, 29 Fellow Upgrades, 10 Member Upgrades, 85 Members, and 95 Associates.