… call for stronger regulations, enforcement
“Despite Nigeria’s vast coastline, bustling ports, and strategic position as West Africa’s trade gateway, as well as airports, the nation’s transport sectors remain mired in inefficiency and stagnation. Experts say the culprit is not a lack of resources or potential, but the dominance of politics over policy — with weak institutions, poor enforcement, and chronic mismanagement holding back progress.
“These concerns took centre stage at the 2025 Transport Infrastructure Summit in Lagos, where industry leaders warned that unless reforms are implemented, Nigeria risks falling further behind its regional peers“.
Again stakeholders in Nigeria’s transport have warned on the dangers of political interference and weak institutions in the Nigerian transport sector.
Speaking in various capacities at the just concluded JustAlive Communications Limited Transport Summit, the transport experts averred that weak institutions, poor policy implementation, and political interference are crippling the country’s transportation development — despite its enormous potential.
The 2025 Transport Infrastructure Summit held in Lagos, themed “The Future of Transportation in Nigeria: Trends, Challenges, Opportunities and the Way Forward,” experts said Nigeria risks remaining a “maritime nation in name only” unless structural reforms are urgently implemented.
Dr. Mustapha Azeez, Managing Director of AZ Logistics, said the absence of institutional independence has allowed political forces to override professional and technical input in key infrastructure decisions.
“One of the bottlenecks we face as a nation is that our institutions are weak, while politicians have become more powerful than policymakers”, Azeez stated.
“Someone could wake up and decide to build a mansion inside an airport and nobody will stop him simply because he is more powerful than the institution. The politicians are weakening institutions and turning themselves into gods. That’s why we talk and talk but nothing changes”.
He lamented that although Nigeria has the human and technical capacity to compete globally in maritime and logistics, political will and institutional enforcement remain lacking.
“We have the capacity to expand and compete globally, but our institutions have failed. Even when we have the technocrats, the political will is lacking. So, we keep going in circles”, he added.
Dr. Femi Aiyegbajeje, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Geography at the University of Lagos, echoed Azeez’s concerns, calling for stronger regulation and enforcement across all modes of transport — especially in Lagos.
He noted that regulatory agencies often target private car owners while turning a blind eye to commercial vehicles that transport millions of Nigerians daily.
“In a situation where you have somebody that read English as Minister of Transport, there will always be problems,” Aiyegbajeje said.
“It’s not that we lack laws or policies; our problem is implementation. The Vehicle Inspection Department focuses more on private vehicles, whereas commercial buses that move millions of passengers yearly are not being properly monitored. Many don’t even have plate numbers or brake lights, yet they are rarely inspected.
The government must ensure enforcement and put knowledgeable professionals in charge”.
Adding his voice, Mr. Frank Kintum, Chief Executive Officer of Transport Day Media and Publisher of Transport Day Newspaper, urged the federal government to unbundle the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to enhance efficiency and attract private sector investment.
“One of the most difficult jobs in Nigeria today is being the Managing Director of the NRC”, Kintum said.
“The Corporation is over-concentrated. The MD practically handles the roles of FAAN, NCAA, and NAMA all combined — overseeing tracks, signaling, and regulation.
The federal government should urgently unbundle the NRC so it focuses on regulation while private operators handle procurement and daily operations”.
The experts agreed that until Nigeria strengthens its institutions, enforces its existing policies, and empowers technocrats over politicians, the nation’s transport and maritime sectors will continue to underperform despite vast opportunities for growth.