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The President of Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) Nigeria, Mrs. Mfon Ekong Usoro, FCILT, has called on the Federal Government to ensure that the newly created Transport Officer Cadre in the public service is occupied by qualified logistics and transport professionals.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 CILT Nigeria Annual Conference at the Civic Centre, Lagos, Usoro noted that while the establishment of the cadre up to directorship level was a commendable step, its implementation often favoured engineers and administrators over trained logistics and transport experts.
She urged the government to address this imbalance to inspire confidence among graduates of transport and supply chain programmes across Nigerian universities, especially as the nation seeks to strengthen its logistics and transport systems under the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Usoro’s remarks came as part of a wide-ranging welcome address that highlighted the Institute’s transformation under her leadership. She reported that the CILT Nigeria conference has grown in quality and calibre, matching international and regional standards.
This year’s event, she said, was designed around innovation and sustainability in logistics, supply chain, transport, and the Blue Economy, featuring a keynote address by Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, FCILT, and presentations by industry leaders and academics.
Tracing CILT’s global heritage to its founding in 1919 in the United Kingdom, Usoro reaffirmed the Nigerian branch’s commitment to world-class professional training and certification.
She announced that a graduation ceremony for new holders of the International Advanced Diploma would be held during the conference, underscoring CILT’s role in developing globally competitive logistics and transport professionals.
Reviewing her administration’s four-year tenure under the “Reform and Transform CILT Nigeria” agenda, Usoro cited major gains in membership growth, strategic partnerships, governance, and financial accountability. Membership, she said, has risen steadily from 169 new members in 2021 to more than 600 in 2025.
She detailed collaborations with the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Bureau of Public Procurement, Multimix Academy, and the Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management (NACOLM), which have deepened knowledge exchange, embedded supply chain principles into public procurement, and expanded professional training for both civilian and military personnel.
On governance and accountability, Usoro highlighted reforms that regularised CILT’s corporate status, established a statutory Board of Directors, and introduced a Finance, Budget, and Audit Committee to enforce prudent financial management.
“Our revenue improved by over 242 percent from 2021 to 2025, while liquid assets rose from ₦17 million to ₦123 million,” she disclosed.
She also noted significant progress in digital transformation, including the adoption of online elections, e-payments, and social media engagement, with the upcoming deployment of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to enhance transparency and workflow efficiency.
Usoro commended her team, council members, and partners for their dedication to the Institute’s transformation, acknowledging that collaboration and inclusivity were central to their success.
While delivering the keynote address, the Chairman of Starzs Investment Company Limited, Engr. Greg Ogbeifun, FCILT, listed some major shipping industry challenges to include funding, wreck removals, Cabotage waivers, among others.
Also speaking, the President of CILT International, Chief Teete Owusu-Nortey, FCILT, expressed satisfaction with the year-on-year improvement of CILT Nigeria via its conferences, membership and contributions to the nation’s transport sector development.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola CON, stressed the improved maritime security with zero piracy in 3 years as one of the biggest accomplishments.
Oyetola, who was represented by the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), assured that the Ministry would continue to partner with CILT Nigeria to advance the nation’s blue economy sector.
The highpoint of the ceremony was the presentation of the CILT Distinguished Leadership Award to the Chief of Defense Staff, Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa; and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
