Transport experts have urged the federal and state governments to embrace global trends in digital mobility, clean energy, and integrated transport systems to unlock Nigeria’s full economic potential.
Leading the call at the maiden Transport Summit organised by JustAlive Communications Limited in Lagos, Prof. Bamidele Badejo, the LASG–Professorial Chair Endowment on Transport Studies at Lagos State University, said Nigeria must urgently modernise its transport infrastructure to sustain growth and competitiveness.
“Transportation is the backbone of the economy, influencing trade, productivity, and national integration. Yet, our transport system remains constrained by poor infrastructure, inefficiency, high costs, and environmental challenges,” Badejo said.
He noted that more than 90 percent of passenger and freight movement in Nigeria still relies on road transport — much of it on poorly maintained networks — while other modes such as rail, maritime, and air remain “underdeveloped and underutilised.”
With rapid urbanisation and a population of over 220 million people, Badejo said the need for a modern, efficient, and sustainable transport system has become urgent.
He called for the adoption of an integrated multi-modal system combining road, rail, air, and water transport, saying it is vital to reduce costs, improve connectivity, and promote environmental sustainability.
“By combining all transport modes and embracing digital technology and clean energy, Nigeria can boost efficiency, cut emissions, and enhance national productivity.
“We must tackle challenges like weak infrastructure, political interference, and poor funding,” he said.
Badejo added that with proper planning and execution, Nigeria’s transport system could drive economic transformation, improve quality of life, and strengthen the nation’s global competitiveness.
Also speaking, the chairman of the event and Managing Director of Primero Transport Services Limited, Mr. Fola Tinubu, stressed that no economy can thrive without an efficient transport system.
Tinubu’s words: “Our roads are under pressure, airports need upgrades, and waterways remain underutilised.
“Innovation and collaboration between government, the private sector, and development partners are key to achieving our transport goals.”
In her remarks, Mrs. Pearl Ngwama, Managing Director of JustAlive Communications Limited and convener of the summit, said Nigeria must move beyond short-term fixes and invest in sustainable, resilient, and technology-driven infrastructure.
“Transport is the bloodstream of the economy. When it flows freely, every sector thrives; when it’s weak, growth is stunted,” she said. “We hope this summit produces clear, practical outcomes that inspire real change.”
The summit, themed “Nigeria’s Transport Infrastructure: Innovation for a Sustainable Future,” brought together policymakers, investors, and transport operators to chart a new course for the nation’s mobility and logistics systems.
