The Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, has reaffirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration remains dedicated to transforming Nigeria’s transport and logistics systems through digitization.
Senator Alkali stated this on Tuesday, the 14th of October, 2024, during the Nigerian Transport and Logistics Leadership Summit held in Abuja, where he joined other ministers and sector leaders.
The summit, themed “Building Sustainable Transport and Logistics Infrastructure in Nigeria: Current Trends and Future Insights,” gathered policymakers, industry professionals, and stakeholders to explore strategies for a sustainable transport future.
Organized by the Nigerian Institute of Transport Technology (NITT), the event focused on developing innovative solutions that would strengthen the transport sector’s contribution to national economic growth. Describing the sector as “the lifeblood of Nigeria’s economy,” Alkali said the Tinubu government aims to achieve its goals through strategic investments, policy reforms, and stronger collaboration among stakeholders.
According to him, “tangible progress is already being recorded across multiple fronts, rail, road, pipeline transportation, and various innovations designed to transform the sector toward more efficient service delivery consistent with international best practices.”
He outlined key priority areas under the Renewed Hope Agenda, including rail modernization, improved pipeline infrastructure, and digital innovation. The Minister stressed that achieving these plans requires joint efforts, urging private investors and industry players to partner with the government.
In his welcome remarks, the Director-General of NITT, Dr. Bayero Salih Farah, said it was crucial to identify practical steps and design a roadmap for the future of Nigeria’s transport sector, describing it as central to economic growth, regional integration, and global competitiveness.
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According to Farah, “the global transport and logistics sector is rapidly evolving, shaped by digital transformation, sustainability imperatives, and the growing demand for resilient infrastructure.”
He explained that technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, big data analytics, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are revolutionizing mobility and supply chain systems. He also pointed out that the global push for low-carbon economies is changing how nations plan and manage transportation.
Farah added that in Nigeria, these international developments interact with domestic challenges, including rapid population growth, urban expansion, and the need to boost trade and manufacturing.
“The challenge before us is clear, we must align with global best practices while developing home-grown solutions to our infrastructural, regulatory, and operational gaps,” he said.